The increasing order of reactivity of substituted benz0yl chlorides towards nucleophilic substitution Arrange the following compounds in the order of their increasing reactivity towards nucleophilic substitution:




The answer to this question is $[3&lt;2&lt;1&lt;4]$. We have to compare the positive charge density on the carbons to which leaving group is connected. In $(1)$, the phenyl ring shows negative inductive effect but my teacher did not mention anything for that. In $(3)$ and $(4)$ the connected groups ($\ce{OCH3}$ and $\ce{NO2}$) show +M and -M respectively. But, they also show -I effect. Why are we ignoring the inductive effect?
Electronic effects govern in the order
Resonance/Mesomeric &gt; Hyperconjugation &gt; inductive
+M or +R dominate over inductive. That's because +M involves π electrons which are more reactive than the sigma electrons. + I operates through sigma electrons. So therefore +M effect has priority over +I.
Therefore the order of reactivity towards nucleophilic substitution is 4&gt;1&gt;2&gt;3