Arrange the following compounds in increasing order of their acidity:

(A) Phenol
(B) 4-methylphenol
(C) 3-nitrophenol
(D) 4-nitrophenol

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

(B), (A), (C), (D)

The correct answer is Option (1) → (B), (A), (C), (D)

To arrange them in increasing acidity, consider the effects:

• NO₂ (nitro group) = strong electron-withdrawing → increases acidity
  Para-nitro > meta-nitro
• CH₃ (methyl group) = electron-donating → decreases acidity
• Phenol is in between.

Order of acidity (least → most):

4-methylphenol (B) < Phenol (A) < 3-nitrophenol (C) < 4-nitrophenol (D)