JEE Main · 2025 · 24 Jan 2025 · Shift 2 · Hydrocarbons

$-\mathrm{OC}{\mathrm{H}}_3$ and $-\mathrm{NHCOC}{\mathrm{H}}_3$ both donate electron density into the ring by resonance (the lone pair on O or N conjugates with the ring), so both activate the ring — statement (A) is correct.

$-\mathrm{CN}$ is a strong electron-withdrawing, meta-directing group, but $-\mathrm{OH}$ donates by resonance and directs ortho/para, not meta — statement (B) is incorrect.

Both $-\mathrm{CN}$ and $-\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{O}}_3\mathrm{H}$ withdraw electron density inductively and by resonance, deactivating the ring and directing meta — statement (C) is correct.

Activating (electron-donating) groups raise electron density most at the ortho and para positions relative to themselves, so they act as ortho/para directors — statement (D) is correct.

Halogens withdraw electron density inductively, deactivating the ring overall, even though their lone pairs direct incoming electrophiles ortho/para by resonance — calling them activating is incorrect, so statement (E) is wrong.

The correct statements are (A), (C) and (D).