Question

Is nitrobenzene more reactive than benzoic acid for electrophilic substitution?

Answer 1

Probably not.....

Explanation:

The nitro group contains a formal positive charge, i.e. `R-stackrel(+)N(=O)O^(-)`...and when bound to a phenyl ring should deactivate the ring towards aromatic electrophilic substitution. On the other hand, the carboxyl group, should also formally deactivate the ring, given the electropositivity of the carbonyl group....

`-stackrel(delta+)C(=O)OH`