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Phenol is less acidic than :
  • a)
    acetic acid
  • b)
    p-methoxyphenol
  • c)
    p-nitrophenol
  • d)
    ethanol
Correct answer is option 'A,C'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Phenol is less acidic than :a)acetic acidb)p-methoxyphenolc)p-nitrophe...
Acidity of Phenol compared to other compounds

Introduction: In organic chemistry, acidity refers to the ability of a molecule to donate a proton (H+ ion) in a chemical reaction. The pH scale is used to measure the acidity or basicity of a substance, with a pH of 7 being neutral, lower pH values indicating acidity, and higher pH values indicating basicity. Phenol is a common organic compound that exhibits acidity due to the presence of a hydroxyl (-OH) group.

Explanation: The given options are acetic acid, p-methoxyphenol, p-nitrophenol, and ethanol. Let us compare the acidity of phenol with these compounds to determine which are less acidic.

Acetic acid: Acetic acid (CH3COOH) is a carboxylic acid that contains a -COOH group. This group is more acidic than the -OH group in phenol because it can donate a proton more easily due to resonance stabilization. Therefore, acetic acid is more acidic than phenol.

p-methoxyphenol: p-methoxyphenol (CH3OC6H4OH) is a phenol derivative that contains a methoxy (-OCH3) group. This group is electron-donating and can stabilize the negative charge on the oxygen atom in the -OH group. Therefore, p-methoxyphenol is less acidic than phenol.

p-nitrophenol: p-nitrophenol (NO2C6H4OH) is a phenol derivative that contains a nitro (-NO2) group. This group is electron-withdrawing and can destabilize the negative charge on the oxygen atom in the -OH group. Therefore, p-nitrophenol is more acidic than phenol.

Ethanol: Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) is an alcohol that contains a -OH group. This group is less acidic than the -OH group in phenol because it is not stabilized by resonance or electron-withdrawing or electron-donating groups. Therefore, ethanol is less acidic than phenol.

Conclusion: Acetic acid and p-nitrophenol are more acidic than phenol, while p-methoxyphenol and ethanol are less acidic than phenol. This is due to the presence of electron-donating or electron-withdrawing groups that can stabilize or destabilize the negative charge on the oxygen atom in the -OH group.
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Phenol is less acidic than :a)acetic acidb)p-methoxyphenolc)p-nitrophe...
Acidic nature is directly proportional to electron withdrawing group .no2 is more powerful electron withdrawing than ch3 and thus it is more acidic than phenol
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Phenol is less acidic than :a)acetic acidb)p-methoxyphenolc)p-nitrophenold)ethanolCorrect answer is option 'A,C'. Can you explain this answer?
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