Phenol is least reactive for aromatic nucleophilic substitution because

1. Carbon-oxygen bond has some double bond character due to resonance
2. Oxygen is present on $\mathrm{s}{\mathrm{p}}^2$ -hybrid carbon which makes carbon-oxygen bond stronger
3. Oxygen is highly electronegative which decreases bond length between carbon and oxygen
4. All are correct

Solution

Phenol is least reactive for aromatic nucleophilic substitution because $\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{O}$ bond get shorter and stronger due to resonance stabilization so removal of $-\mathrm{O}\mathrm{H}$ group becomes tough.

Asked in: JEE-TOPICTESTS-CHEMISTRY

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