Classify the following functional groups as electron donating and electron withdrawing groups giving explanation. i) -NO 2 ii) -COOH iii) -NH 2 iv) -OH v) -CH 3 vi) –CHO vii) -OR

i) -NO2: This is an electron withdrawing group. Nitro groups have a positive charge on the nitrogen and a negative charge on the oxygen. This creates a strong pull on the electrons in the bond between the nitrogen and the carbon it is attached to, making it an electron withdrawing group.

ii) -COOH: This is also an electron withdrawing group. The oxygen atoms in the carboxyl group are more electronegative than the carbon and hydrogen atoms they are bonded to, so they pull electrons away from those atoms.

iii) -NH2: This is an electron donating group. Nitrogen has a lone pair of electrons that it can donate to a conjugated system, making it an electron donating group.

iv) -OH: This is an electron donating group. The oxygen atom in the hydroxyl group has a pair of non-bonding electrons that can be donated to a conjugated system.

v) -CH3: This is an electron donating group. The carbon atom in the methyl group is less electronegative than most other atoms it could be bonded to, so it donates electron density to those atoms.

vi) –CHO: This is an electron withdrawing group. The oxygen atom in the aldehyde group is more electronegative than the carbon and hydrogen atoms it is bonded to, so it pulls electrons away from those atoms.

vii) -OR: This is an electron donating group. The oxygen atom in the alkoxy group has a pair of non-bonding electrons that can be donated to a conjugated system.