Increasing order of acidic strength among phenol, cresol and p-nitrophenol is

Question

Increasing order of acidic strength among phenol, cresol and p-nitrophenol is (A) cresol < phenol < p-nitrophenol (B) p-nitrophenol < cresol < phenol (C) phenol < p-nitrophenol < cresol (D) phenol < cresol < p-nitrophenol.

Tardigrade Admin · Accepted Answer

In substituted phenols, the presence of electron withdrawing groups enhances the acidic strength while the presence of electron donating groups decreases the acidic strength of phenol.

Q. Increasing order of acidic strength among phenol, cresol and p-nitrophenol is

cresol < phenol < p-nitrophenol

p-nitrophenol < cresol < phenol

phenol < p-nitrophenol < cresol

phenol < cresol < p-nitrophenol.

In substituted phenols, the presence of electron withdrawing groups enhances the acidic strength while the presence of electron donating groups decreases the acidic strength of phenol.