CET Karnataka Medical CET - Karnataka Medical Solved Paper-2008

  • question_answer
    Among the following, which is least acidic?

    A)  Phenol         

    B)  o-cresol

    C)  p-nitrophenol   

    D)  p-chlorophenol

    Correct Answer: B

    Solution :

    When an electron attracting group (like \[-N{{O}_{2}},-Cl\]) is attached to the phenol ring, it stabilises the negative charge on the oxygen of phenoxide ion. Due to this reason acidic character of phenol increases. But when an  electron donating group (like \[-C{{H}_{3}}\]) is attached to the phenol ring, it destabilises the ring and hence, acidic character of phenol decreases. Thus, the correct order of acidic character is p-nitrophenol > p-chlorophenol > phenol > o-cresol


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