Activating Group

If electrophilic aromatic substitution of a monosubstituted benzene is

faster than that of benzene under identical conditions, the
substituent in the monosubstituted benzene is called an activating
group.
eg:

Under identical conditions, Reaction 2 is faster than Reaction 1.

Thus, the methyl group is an activating group.
All activating groups are electron-donating groups.
Common activating groups:

Deactivating Group
If electrophilic aromatic substitution of a monosubstituted benzene is
slower than that of benzene under identical conditions, the
substituent in the monosubstituted benzene is called a deactivating
group.
eg:

Under identical conditions, Reaction 2 is slower than Reaction 1.

Thus, the nitro group is a deactivating group.
All deactivating groups are electron-withdrawing groups.
Common deactivating groups:

Directing Groups
Ortho-Para Directors

Strong
activators

-NH2(amino)
-OH (hydroxy)

Meta Directors

Strong
deactivators

Moderate
activators

NHCOCH3(acetamide)
OCOCH3(acetoxy)
OR (alkoxy)

Moderate
deactivators

Weak
activators

CH3(methyl)
C6H5(phenyl)

-NO2 (nitro)
-NR3(ammonium)
-CX3(trihalomethyl)
-CN (cyano or
nitrile)
-SO3H (sulfonic
acid)
-CHO (aldehyde)
-COR (ketone)
-COOH (carboxyl)

Weakly Deactivating Ortho-Para directors

-F
(fluoro)

-Cl
(chloro)

-Br
(bromo)

-I
(iodo)