Question

Benzene would react_____________.

Answer 1

Answer: Benzene is less reactive than methylbenzoate and more reactive than Nitrobenzene

Explanation:

This is because the methyl group on the benzene ring is an electron donating group leading to the activation of the ring and subsequently leading to more canonical resonance structure at the intermediate stage of the reaction enhancing the faster reactivity

However for the Nitrobenzene the nitro group is an electron withdrawing group leading to a slower activation and less resonance canonical structure at the reaction intermediate leading to a slower reaction than the reaction of benzene without the nitro group