p-chlorophenol is a stronger acid than phenol because

Options

A. Cl is less electronegative than oxygen atom
B. of the -I effect of a halogen, which is greater than its +R effect
C. of +R effect of Cl, which is stronger than its -I effect
D. of +R effect of Cl.

Answer

B

Explanation

The acidity of phenols is due to resonance stabilization of the phenoxide ion relative to phenol. A group that stabilizes the phenoxide ion by more dispersal of negativecharge will increase the acidity of phenols. Thus, electron -withdrawing groups that groups that stabilize the phenoxide ion by dispersing the negative charge relative to phenol increases the acid strength of phenols. Hence, p-chlorophenol is more acidic than phenol.