Deactivators are chemical groups that reduce or eliminate the reactivity of a molecule. They often stabilize the structure by dispersing electron density, making it less likely to participate in chemical reactions. Common examples of deactivators include nitro groups and halogens, which can influence the behavior of aromatic compounds. In organic chemistry, deactivators play a crucial role in directing the reactivity of substituted aromatic rings. They can affect electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions by making certain positions on the ring less reactive. Understanding how deactivators work helps chemists design and predict the outcomes of chemical reactions more effectively.