Arrange the following compounds is order of decreasing acidity.

Options

A. IVgtIIIgtIgtII
B. IIgtIVgtIgtIII
C. IgtIIgtIIIgtIV
D. IIIgtIgtIIgtIV

Answer

D

Explanation

Electron withdrawing groups increase the acidity of phenols. Since `-NO_(2)` group is a much more powerful electron withdrawing group than Cl, therefore, p-nitrophenol (III) is a stronger acid than p-chlorophenol (I). Further, electron donating groups decrease the acidity of phenols. since `-OCH_(3)` groups is a more powerful electron donating group than `CH_(3)` group is a more powerful electron donating group than `CH_(3)` group, therefore, p-methylphenol (II) is a stronger acid than p-methoxyphenol (IV). combining the two trends together, the overall acidity of the four phenols decreases in the order: IIgtIgtIIgtIV, i.e., option (d) is correct.