CUET Preparation Today
Both alcohols and phenols contain a hydroxyl group, but phenols are more acidic than alcohols. Whereas the acid strength of aliphatic alcohols mainly depends upon the inductive effects, and acid strength of phenols depends upon a combination of both inductive and resonance effects of the substituent and its position on the benzene ring. |
Identify the strongest acid. |
o-Methoxyphenol p-Methoxyphenol m-Methoxyphenol Phenol |
m-Methoxyphenol |
m-Methoxy phenol is the strongest acid.
Methoxy group at meta position exerts an only-I effect.
Due to this, it withdraws electrons from all the nuclear position of the benzene ring including the one holding the O−H group consequently, electron density in the O−H bond decreases.
Hence, m-methoxy phenol becomes more acidic than o and p-methoxy phenols. |
