The correct acidic order of the following
is

Options

A. `I gt II gt III`
B. `III gt I gt II`
C. `II gt III gt I`
D. `I gt III gt II`

Answer

B

Explanation

Electron withdrawing subsitiuents (such as `-NO_(2)` group) increase the acidic strength of phenol by increasing the stability of the phenoxide ion by dispersing its negattive charge while electron releasing substituents (such as `-CH_(3)` group) decrease the acidic strength of phenol by decresing the stability of phenoxide ion by intersigying its negative charge. Thus, the decreasing order of acidic strength is

Another order that may be asked in exame is:

Note that `-OCH_(3)` is relatively a better electron donating group than a`-CH_(3)`