[kahalla]

Which of the following substances are least reactive in EAS:

Benzene, Nitrobenzene, Ethylbenzene, Phenol, Phenoxide anion?

I know that the more stable the carbocation, the faster the reaction will proceed. I also know that nitrobenzene reacts faster than benzene, which excludes that one from the list. I also think I read somewere that phenol is very reactive in EAS. Maybe the phenoxide anion is slowest because it won't be very stable as a cation? Any help?

[Smrt guy]

Electron rich aromatics react much faster than electron poor ones.  Which is the most electron poor?

[kahalla]

In that case Penoxide anion is probably the one that reacts fastest. Ethylbenzene will be less electronrich than benzene, so ethylbenzene is probably correct then? Thanks!

[Smrt guy]

Ethyl benzene is more e- rich than benzene.  What about nitrobenzene?