Which of the following would be the most acidic?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The presence of the nitro group (-NO2) in p-nitrophenol makes it a stronger acid than phenol itself. The electron-withdrawing nature of the nitro group destabilizes the phenoxide anion, making it easier for the molecule to donate a proton and act as an acid. Chlorine on the other hand is also an electron-withdrawing group, but it is not as strong as the nitro group, so p-chlorophenol is less acidic than p-nitrophenol. p-Methylphenol (also known as p-cresol) has a methyl group (-CH3) which is electron-donating, making it less acidic. Therefore, p-nitrophenol is the most acidic among the given options.

Which of the Following Would Be the Most Acidic