Arrange the following compounds in increasing order of their acid strength:
(A) Propan-1-ol
(B) 3-nitrophenol
(C) 3,5-Dinitrophenol
(D) Phenol
(E) 4-Methylphenol
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
Alcohols and phenols are electron-rich compounds and when any electron-withdrawing group is attached, their acidity increases. Alkyl groups show +I effect and -NO2 group show -M effect.
Acidic nature of electron-withdrawing groups are as follows:
Dinitro- > nitro > Phenyl > methyl > hydride