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:

A < E < D < B < C

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