Question
The descending order of acidity among the following compounds is: A. Phenol B. 4-nitrophenol C. 4-methoxyphenol D. 4-nitrobenzoic acid E. Benzoic acid Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
JEE Main
Chemistry
Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
2026
JEE Main 2026 (04 April Shift 2)
JEE Main Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution
Options
- A. B>D>E>A>C
- B. D>B>E>A>C
- C. C>A>B>D>E
- D. D>E>B>A>C
Answer
D. D>E>B>A>C
Step-by-step solution
Carboxylic acids are stronger acids than phenols because the carboxylate anion is stabilized by equivalent resonance structures. Thus, D and E are more acidic than A, B, and C. For the carboxylic acids, the -NO_2 group in D is an electron-withdrawing group (-I, -R), which stabilizes the conjugate base, making D more acidic than E. For the phenols, electron-withdrawing groups increase acidity while electron-donating groups decrease it. The -NO_2 group in B is electron-withdrawing, making it more acidic than A. The -OCH_3 group in C is electron-donating (+R > -I), making it less acidic than A. Thus, the order for phenols is B > A > C. Combining these, the overall descending order of acidity is D > E > B > A > C. Answer: D>E>B>A>C
Related: Chemistry — Carboxylic Acid Derivatives · All PYQ Banks