Arrange the following in order of decreasing acidic strength: p-nitrophenol (I), p-cresol (II), m-cresol (III), phenol (IV)

JEE Main Chemistry question

Arrange the following in order of decreasing acidic strength: -nitrophenol (I), -cresol (II), -cresol (III), phenol (IV)

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

Answer: (C)

Solution

-Nitrophenol, with a strong electron-withdrawing group at the para position (resonance + induction), is most acidic; phenol itself (no substituent) is next; and the methyl-substituted cresols are less acidic than phenol, with -cresol (methyl

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Question ID VK-148614