Is OC{H_3} an electron withdrawing group?

Yes, OC{H_3} is an electron-withdrawing group.

OC{H_3} represents an alkoxy group (specifically, methoxy group) denoted by -OCH3. The alkoxy group is derived from an alcohol by replacing the hydrogen atom (-H) with an alkyl group (-CH3). In this case, it is a methoxy group since the alkyl group is a methyl group (-CH3).

Electron-withdrawing groups are functional groups or substituents that pull electrons away from the rest of the molecule, creating an electron-deficient region. Alkoxy groups, including methoxy, are considered electron-withdrawing because the oxygen atom is more electronegative than carbon, and it withdraws electron density from the adjacent carbon atom through the sigma bond. This causes a partial positive charge on the carbon atom and makes it more electrophilic.

The presence of an electron-withdrawing group like OC{H_3} can influence the reactivity and properties of the molecule it is attached to. It can affect the acidity of nearby protons, stabilize positive charges in reaction intermediates, and influence the orientation of neighboring functional groups in reactions.