RE-NEET 2026 Chemistry Reactions of Aromatic Compounds Assertion Reason Question with Solution

Given below are two statements:

Statement-I: Oxidation of p-nitrotoluene with acidic KMnO₄ gives an acid that is stronger than benzoic acid.

Statement-II: Reduction of p-nitrotoluene with Sn/HCl followed by neutralization gives an amine that is more basic than aniline.

In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

A

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are incorrect.

B

Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect.

C

Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

D

Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct.

Option D

Difficulty: 🟡 Medium

Statement I ✅

p\text{-Nitrotoluene}\xrightarrow{KMnO_4}p\text{-Nitrobenzoic acid}

$-NO_2$ has −I/−M effects → stabilises $\mathrm{COO^-}$ → acidity increases.

Statement II ✅

p\text{-Nitrotoluene}\xrightarrow{Sn/HCl}p\text{-Toluidine}

$-CH_3$ increases electron density on N → basicity increases.

📌 NCERT line: “Electron withdrawing groups increase the acidic strength, while electron donating groups increase the basic strength.”

🧠 Quick Revision:

\boxed{-NO_2\rightarrow \uparrow\text{Acidity}\qquad -CH_3\rightarrow\uparrow\text{Basicity}}

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RE-NEET 2026 Chemistry Reactions of Aromatic Compounds Assertion Reason Question