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NEET levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 1 of 3g1065

The halogen atom in chlorobenzene shows

  1. Aonly a effect
  2. Bonly a effect, with no mesomeric effect
  3. C and effects
  4. D and effects, with dominating overall

Answer: D

Chlorine is electronegative, so it withdraws electrons through the sigma bond (-I). Its lone pairs also conjugate with the ring (+M). The -I effect outweighs +M, so the ring is deactivated, but the +M effect still directs substitution to ortho and para.
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