Why Some Groups Favor Meta Substitution

Meta-directing groups on a benzene ring guide an incoming electrophile to the meta position. These substituents usually have a positive charge on the atom bonded to the ring, or a partial positive charge. They pull electron density away from the ring through inductive and resonance effects.

Nitro...

Substituents on the benzene ring that can orient an incoming group to a position meta to itself during electrophilic substitution are meta directors.

All meta-directing groups are polar with a positive or a partial positive charge on the atom immediately neighboring the ring. Additionally, such atoms have no lon...