JEE Main Chemistry question

Strength of acidity is in order: (I) p-nitrophenol, (II) p-cresol, (III) o-chlorophenol, (IV) m-nitrophenol structures as drawn with Br/NO2/CH3 substituents at specific positions

(A)II > I > III > IV
(B)III > IV > I > II
(C)I > IV > III > IICorrect
(D)IV > III > I > II

Answer: (C)

Solution

Acidity of a substituted phenol increases with the electron-withdrawing power of the ring substituent (stabilising the phenoxide by resonance/induction) and decreases with electron-donating substituents (like ). The nitro group is a far stronger electron-withdrawer than chlorine, and its effect is strongest

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Question ID VK-148492