JEE Main 2026 Jan 24 Shift 1, Chemistry Q7: Properties of Alkyl Halides (Halo Alkanes) & Aryl Halides (Halo Arenes)

The diazonium cation is electron-deficient at the ring carbon bearing $-N_2^{+}$. Electron-donating groups (EDG) stabilise this cation by resonance/induction, while electron-withdrawing groups (EWG) destabilise it.

Substituent effects:

A: $-OC{H}_3$ → strong $+M$ donor → most stabilising

C: $-H$ → no effect (reference)

D: $-CN$ → $-M$ withdrawing → destabilising

B: $-N{O}_2$ → strongest $-M$ withdrawing → most destabilising

$\therefore$ Stability order: A > C > D > B.