Given below are two statements: Statement I: p -Methoxyphenol is a weaker acid than phenol because the -OCH₃ group destabilizes the phenoxide ion through its +R effect. Statement II: m -Methoxyphenol is also a weaker acid than phenol because the +R effect of the -OCH₃ group operates at the meta position as well. In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :

Step-by-step solution

The acidity of phenols depends on the stability of the phenoxide ion formed after the loss of a proton. In p -methoxyphenol, the -OCH₃ group is at the para position. It exerts both a -I (inductive) effect and a +R (resonance) effect. At the para position, the +R effect dominates over the -I effect. The electron-donating +R effect increases the electron density on the phenoxide oxygen, destabilizing the phenoxide ion. Thus, p -methoxyphenol is a weaker acid than phenol. Statement I is correct. In m -methoxyphenol, t