Assertion (A): Nitrobenzene does not undergo Friedel-Crafts reaction. Reason (R): The -NO2 group strongly deactivates the benzene ring towards electrophilic attack.

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A

JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3o2133

Assertion (A): Nitrobenzene does not undergo Friedel-Crafts reaction. Reason (R): The $- NO X_{2}$ group strongly deactivates the benzene ring towards electrophilic attack.

Friedel-Crafts reactions need a fairly electron-rich ring because the electrophile is only a carbocation or acylium ion. The

- NO X_{2}

group withdraws electrons by -I and -M effects and makes the ring too unreactive. A and R are both true and R explains A.