Question

Given below are two statements: 
Statement I: Benzene is nitrated to give nitrobenzene, which on further treatment with \( \text{CH}_3\text{COCl} / \text{AlCl}_3 \) will give the product shown. 

Statement II: \( -\text{NO}_2 \) group is a meta-directing and deactivating group. 
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

• A. Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
• C. Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
• D. Both Statement I and Statement II are correct

Hint:

Strong electron-withdrawing groups like \( -\text{NO}_2 \) are always deactivating and meta-directing in electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Explanation:

1. Understanding Statement I:
   Benzene is first nitrated to form nitrobenzene by introducing a \( \text{NO}_2 \) group. This reaction is typically carried out using a nitrating mixture of concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid. Nitrobenzene can then undergo Friedel-Crafts acylation with \( \text{CH}_3\text{COCl} \) in the presence of \( \text{AlCl}_3 \) as a catalyst. The \( \text{NO}_2 \) group is known to be a meta-directing group. Therefore, the acetyl group \( (\text{COCH}_3) \) would be introduced at the meta position relative to the \( \text{NO}_2 \) group.
2. Understanding Statement II:
   The \( -\text{NO}_2 \) group is a strong electron-withdrawing group due to the presence of the highly electronegative nitrogen and oxygen atoms. This makes \( -\text{NO}_2 \) meta-directing in electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions, meaning it deactivates the ortho and para positions and makes the meta position relatively more reactive.

Conclusion:

Both Statement I and Statement II are correct. Statement I correctly describes the reaction process, and Statement II accurately details the nature of the \( -\text{NO}_2 \) group as meta-directing and deactivating.