Arrange the given compouns in decreasing order of acidity and give a suitable explanation, Phenol, o-nitrophenol, o-cresol

Explanation

Due to -I and -R-effect of the `NO_(2)` group, o-nitrophenol is a stronger acid than phenol but do to +I-effect of the `CH_(3)` group, o-cresol is a weaker acid than phenol. Thus, acid strength of these three phenols increases in the order: o-cresolltphenollto-nitrophenol.