The correct order of basic strength is

Options

A. `H_(2)O lt OH^(-) lt CH_(3)OH lt CH_(3)O^(-)`
B. `CH_(3)OH lt H_(2)O lt CH_(3)O^(-) lt OH^(-)`
C. `H_(2)O lt CH_(3)OH lt OH^(-) lt CH_(3)O^(-)`
D. `OH^(-) lt H_(2)O lt CH_(3)O^(-) lt CH_(3)OH`

Explanation

To determine the correct order of basic strength among the given substances, we need to analyze their properties and how they behave in terms of acidity and basicity. Here’s a step-by-step solution:

### Step 1: Identify the substances
The substances we are comparing are:
- H2O (water)
- OH⁻ (hydroxide ion)
- CH3OH (methanol)

### Step 2: Understand the basicity of each substance
1. **H2O (Water)**: Water is a neutral substance with a pH of 7. It does not exhibit basic properties in a significant manner.

2. **OH⁻ (Hydroxide Ion)**: The hydroxide ion is a strong base. It readily accepts protons (H⁺) and increases the pH of a solution significantly. Therefore, it has the highest basic strength among the three.

3. **CH3OH (Methanol)**: Methanol is an alcohol that can act as a weak acid. When it donates a proton (H⁺), it forms CH3O⁻ (methoxide ion), which is its conjugate base. However, in its neutral form, methanol is less basic than water.

### Step 3: Compare the basic strengths
Now, we can arrange the substances in order of their basic strength:
- **Most Basic**: OH⁻ (hydroxide ion) - It is the strongest base.
- **Moderately Basic**: CH3O⁻ (methoxide ion) - It is the conjugate base of methanol and is more basic than water.
- **Less Basic**: H2O (water) - It is neutral and has no significant basic properties.
- **Least Basic**: CH3OH (methanol) - It is more acidic than basic.

### Step 4: Final Order
Based on the analysis above, the correct order of basic strength from strongest to weakest is:
1. OH⁻ (hydroxide ion)
2. CH3O⁻ (methoxide ion)
3. H2O (water)
4. CH3OH (methanol)

### Conclusion
The correct sequence of increasing basic strength is:
**CH3OH < H2O < CH3O⁻ < OH⁻**