KCET2013ChemistryAlcohols Phenols and Ethers
Which of the following is strongly acidic?
Options
- APhenol
- Bo-cresol
- Cp-nitrophenol
- Dp -cresol
Correct answer
C. p-nitrophenol
Step-by-step solution
The acidity of phenols is due to the greater resonance stabilization of the phenoxide ion relative to phenol. Therefore, electron withdrawing groups (EWG) like - NO ₂ which stabilize the phenoxide ion more by dispersing the negative charge will tend to increase the acidity of phenols. On the other hand, electron donating groups (EDG) like-alkyl group destabilize the phenoxide ion by intensifying the negative charge relative to phenol tend to decrease the acidic strength of phenols. As methyl group has +1 effect and