The correct order of increasing acidic strength is

Options

A. Phenol`lt`Ethanol`lt`Chloroacetic acid`lt` Acetic acid
B. Ethanol`lt`Phenol`lt`Chloroacetic acid`lt` Acetic acid
C. Ethanol`lt`Phenol`lt`Acetic acid`lt` Chloroacetic acid
D. Chloroacetic acid`lt`Acetic acid`lt` Phenol `lt` Ethanol

Explanation

To determine the correct order of increasing acidic strength among the given compounds, we will analyze the stability of the anions formed when these acids donate a proton (H⁺). The more stable the anion, the stronger the acid.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Compounds**:
We have four compounds to compare:
- Ethanol (C₂H₅OH)
- Phenol (C₆H₅OH)
- Chloroacetic acid (ClCH₂COOH)
- Acetic acid (CH₃COOH)

2. **Write the Anions**:
When these acids donate a proton (H⁺), they form the following anions:
- Ethanol → O⁻ (alkoxide ion)
- Phenol → C₆H₅O⁻ (phenoxide ion)
- Chloroacetic acid → ClCH₂COO⁻ (chloroacetate ion)
- Acetic acid → CH₃COO⁻ (acetate ion)

3. **Analyze Anion Stability**:
- **Ethanol (O⁻)**: The alkoxide ion is not stabilized by resonance, making it less stable.
- **Phenol (C₆H₅O⁻)**: The phenoxide ion can participate in resonance with the benzene ring, which stabilizes it somewhat, but it is not as stable as the anions of carboxylic acids.
- **Chloroacetic acid (ClCH₂COO⁻)**: The chloroacetate ion benefits from resonance and the -I (inductive) effect of the chlorine atom, which withdraws electron density and stabilizes the negative charge.
- **Acetic acid (CH₃COO⁻)**: The acetate ion also has resonance stabilization, but lacks the additional stabilizing effect provided by the chlorine in chloroacetic acid.

4. **Rank the Acids**:
Based on the stability of the anions:
- Least stable (and thus weakest acid): Ethanol (O⁻)
- Next: Phenol (C₆H₅O⁻)
- Next: Acetic acid (CH₃COO⁻)
- Most stable (and thus strongest acid): Chloroacetic acid (ClCH₂COO⁻)

5. **Final Order**:
The correct order of increasing acidic strength is:
**Ethanol < Phenol < Acetic Acid < Chloroacetic Acid**