JEE Main 2026 Jan 23 Shift 1, Chemistry Q12: Properties of Alkyl Halides (Halo Alkanes) & Aryl Halides (Halo Arenes)

Reactivity toward electrophilic aromatic substitution depends on how the substituent perturbs the ring's electron density.

(c) Anisole, —OCH${}_3$: strong $+M$ donor → most activated, fastest nitration.

(a) Chlorobenzene, —Cl: weak overall deactivator ($-I$ dominates, but lone pair gives some $+M$) → moderately reactive.

(b) Nitrobenzene, —NO${}_2$: strong $-M$ withdrawer → most deactivated.

Increasing reactivity: b $<$ a $<$ c.