Identify the groups that strongly activate the benzene ring towards electrophilic aromatic substitut — Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Strong activating groups donate electrons primarily through resonance, stabilizing the arenium ion intermediate. $-OH$, $-NH_2$, and $-OR$ all possess lone pairs on the atom directly attached to the ring, allowing them to form an extra $\pi$ -bond in the transition state. $-NO_2$ is strongly deactivating because it lacks a lone pair and withdraws electrons.