Will bromination occur at the ortho, para, or meta position with respect to the pyrimidinium ion in the reaction below? Explain.

• A. The bromination would occur at the meta position because the pyridinium ion substituent is a strong deactivating group and acts as a meta director.
• B. The bromination would occur at the ortho position because the pyridinium ion substituent is a weak deactivating group and acts as an ortho director.
• C. The bromination would occur at the meta position because the pyridinium ion substituent is a weak deactivating group and acts as a meta director.
• D. The bromination would occur at the para position because the pyridinium ion substituent is a strong deactivating group and acts as a para director.

Answer: (A)