Question

Electrophilic substitution on 3-phenylpropenenitrile occurs at the meta position. Draw resonance structures to show how the ring is electron-poor at the ortho and para positions.

Answer 1

See figure 1

Step-by-step explanation:

In this question, we have to remember that a poor electron carbon is a carbon in which we have a positive charge, a carbocation. Therefore we have to start with the production of the carbocation. First, a double bond from the benzene is moved to the carbon in the top to produce a new double bond generating a positive charge in a carbon with ortho position (electron-poor). Then we can move another double bond inside the ring to produce a positive charge in the para carbon. Finally, we can move the last double bond to produce again another positive charge in the second ortho carbon.

See figure 1.

I hope it helps!