Acidity Order
Mediumchemistry
Which is the correct acidity order (strongest acid first)?
Select the correct option:
Solution
Incorrect! Answer:
p-nitrophenol > phenol > p-cresol
- Substituent Effects on Acidity:
- Electron Withdrawing Groups (EWG) like −NO2 stabilize the phenoxide ion, increasing acidity.
- Electron Donating Groups (EDG) like −CH3 destabilize the phenoxide ion, decreasing acidity.
- Analysis:
- p-Nitrophenol: Has a strong EWG (−NO2). Most acidic.
- Phenol: No substituents. Baseline acidity.
- p-Cresol: Has a methyl group (EDG, +I and hyperconjugation). Least acidic.
- Result: p-nitrophenol > phenol > p-cresol.
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About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- basic organic principles
- Topic
- acidity order
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
p-nitrophenol > phenol > p-cresol
- Substituent Effects on Acidity:
- Electron Withdrawing Groups (EWG) like −NO2 stabilize the phenoxide ion, increasing acidity.
- Electron Donating Groups (EDG) like −CH3 destabilize the phenoxide ion, decreasing acidity.
- Analysis:
- p-Nitrophenol: Has a strong EWG (−NO2). Most acidic.
- Phenol: No substituents. Baseline acidity.
- p-Cresol: Has a methyl group (EDG, +I and hyperconjugation). Least acidic.
- Result: p-nitrophenol > phenol > p-cresol.
This medium difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter basic organic principles, covering the topic of acidity order. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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