Reactivity towards Sulphonation

Sulphonation is a chemical reaction in which a sulfonyl functional group (-SO3H) is added to a molecule. It is an important industrial process used to produce detergents, dyes, and other chemicals. In this question, we are asked to identify the most reactive compound towards sulphonation among the given options.

M-Xylene

M-Xylene is the correct answer because it has an electron-donating methyl group (-CH3) attached to the benzene ring in the meta position. This increases the electron density of the ring, making it more nucleophilic and therefore more reactive towards electrophilic substitutions such as sulphonation. The other compounds do not have such electron-donating groups and are therefore less reactive towards sulphonation.

Toluene

Toluene has a methyl group attached to the benzene ring in the ortho position. This group also increases the electron density of the ring but to a lesser extent than the meta position. Therefore, toluene is less reactive towards sulphonation than m-xylene.

Chlorobenzene

Chlorobenzene has a chlorine atom attached to the benzene ring. Chlorine is an electron-withdrawing group and reduces the electron density of the ring, making it less reactive towards electrophilic substitutions such as sulphonation.

Nitrobenzene

Nitrobenzene has a nitro group (-NO2) attached to the benzene ring. This group is strongly electron-withdrawing and further reduces the electron density of the ring, making it the least reactive towards electrophilic substitutions such as sulphonation among the given options.

In conclusion, m-xylene is the most reactive towards sulphonation among the given options due to the electron-donating methyl group attached to the benzene ring in the meta position.

Yes, m-xylene is more reactive toward sulphonation because it contain two methyl group, meta position to each other. This is the only reason which will increase electron density at ortho and para position and we know that high electron density at ortho and para is favourable for sulphonation. Hence among all these options d is correct...