Final answer:
Ortho/para directors in electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS) are substituents that donate electron density to an aromatic ring, making it more reactive towards electrophiles. They direct electrophilic attack to the ortho (1,2) and para (1,4) positions on the ring.
Step-by-step explanation:
In electrophilic aromatic substitution (EAS), ortho/para directors refer to substituents on an aromatic ring that facilitate electrophilic attack at the ortho (1,2) and para (1,4) positions. These substituents donate electron density to the ring, making it more nucleophilic and reactive towards electrophiles. One example of an ortho/para director is the -OH group in phenol, which stabilizes the developing positive charge at the ortho and para positions through resonance. Another example is the -NH2 group in aniline, which also donates electrons to the ring and directs electrophilic attack to the ortho and para positions.