Among the following statements on the nitration of aromatic compounds, the false one is:

The rate of nitration of benzene is greater than that of hexadeutereo benzene

The false statement among the given options is: 3. The rate of nitration of benzene is greater than that of hexadeutero benzene.

The nitration of benzene is an electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction, which involves the attack of an electrophile (nitronium ion, \(NO_2^+\)) on the \(π\)-electron cloud of the benzene ring. The rate of electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions is generally faster for compounds with electron-donating groups, such as methyl groups, attached to the aromatic ring. This is because electron-donating groups increase the electron density of the aromatic ring, making it more susceptible to electrophilic attack.

In contrast, electron-withdrawing groups, such as deuterium atoms, decrease the electron density of the aromatic ring, making it less susceptible to electrophilic attack. Therefore, the nitration of hexadeutero benzene is slower than the nitration of benzene.

The other statements are correct:

1. The nitration of benzene is almost the same as that of hexadeutereo benzene. This is because the nitronium ion attacks the carbon atoms in the benzene ring, and deuterium atoms do not significantly affect the electronic properties of the carbon atoms.

2. The rate of nitration of toluene is greater than that of benzene. This is because the methyl group in toluene is an electron-donating group that increases the electron density of the aromatic ring, making it more susceptible to electrophilic attack.

4. Nitration is an electrophilic substitution reaction. This is because the nitronium ion is an electrophile that attacks the π-electron cloud of the aromatic ring.