Identify correct statement/s: (A) -OCH3 and -NHCOCH3 are activating groups. (B) -CN and -OH are meta directing groups.…

Step 1: Evaluate Each Statement

(A) -OCH3 and -NHCOCH3 are activating groups:

• $-\ce{OCH3}$ (methoxy): lone pairs donate into ring via resonance. Activating. TRUE.
• $-\ce{NHCOCH3}$ (acetamido): N lone pair donates into ring. Activating. TRUE. A is CORRECT.

(B) -CN and -OH are meta directing:

• $-\ce{CN}$: electron withdrawing (meta director). TRUE for CN.
• $-\ce{OH}$: electron donating (ortho/para director). FALSE for OH. B is INCORRECT.

(C) -CN and -SO3H are meta directing:

• $-\ce{CN}$: electron withdrawing, meta director. TRUE.
• $-\ce{SO3H}$: electron withdrawing, meta director. TRUE. C is CORRECT.

(D) Activating groups act as ortho and para directors: All activating groups (except some special cases) direct incoming electrophile to ortho and para positions. D is CORRECT.

(E) Halides are activating groups: Halides are deactivating (electron withdrawing inductively) but ortho/para directing (lone pair donation by resonance). They are NOT activating. E is INCORRECT.

Correct statements: A, C, D = option (b).

Key Points:

• Activating groups: donate electrons into ring (EDG) = ortho/para directors
• Deactivating groups: withdraw electrons (EWG) = meta directors (except halogens)
• Halogens: deactivating but ortho/para directing (resonance donation dominates direction)