Pick the correct structure for carbolic acid among the following compounds:

The correct answer is Option (4) →

Carbolic acid is the common name for phenol.

Phenol consists of: A benzene ring attached to a hydroxyl group (–OH).

Its formula is C₆H₅OH.

It is called carbolic acid because it was originally obtained from coal tar.

Option 1: CH₃OH This is methanol, an alcohol. Not carbolic acid. Incorrect.

Option 2: CH₃COOH This is acetic acid. Not carbolic acid. Incorrect.

Option 3: H₂CO₃ This is carbonic acid. Not carbolic acid. Incorrect.

Option 4: Benzene ring with –OH group This represents phenol, also known as carbolic acid. Correct.