Question:medium

Statement I: The groups $NHCOCH_3$ and $-OCOCH_3$ deactivate the benzene ring for electrophilic attack. Statement II: -OH and $-CH_2CH_3$ groups activate the benzene ring for electrophilic attack.

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Activating groups donate electrons to the ring; deactivating groups withdraw them.
Updated On: Jun 10, 2026
  • Both statements I and II are correct
  • Both statements I and II are not correct
  • Statement I is correct and statement II is not correct
  • Statement I is not correct but statement II is correct
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Recall how groups affect the ring.
In electrophilic substitution, a group that pushes electron density into the benzene ring makes it react faster (activating), while a group that pulls density away makes it react slower (deactivating).

Step 2: Look at the amide-type group.
In $-NHCOCH_3$ the nitrogen lone pair is tied up by the neighbouring carbonyl, so it is less free to feed the ring. This makes the group deactivating overall compared with a plain amino group.

Step 3: Look at the ester-type group.
In $-OCOCH_3$ the oxygen lone pair is also drawn toward the carbonyl, so it gives less to the ring and acts as a deactivating group. So Statement I, which calls both deactivating, is correct.

Step 4: Look at the hydroxyl group.
$-OH$ has lone pairs on oxygen that strongly push into the ring, making it a strong activator.

Step 5: Look at the ethyl group.
$-CH_2CH_3$ is an alkyl group that donates electron density by induction and hyperconjugation, so it is a mild activator. So Statement II, which calls both activating, is correct.

Step 6: Combine.
Both statements are correct.
\[ \boxed{\text{Both statements I and II are correct}} \]
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