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

Answer

C

Explanation

Phenol is more stable than alcohol due to formation of more stable conjugate base after removal of `H^(+)` from phenol.

On the other hand, carboxylic acid is more acidic than phenol due to formation of more stable conjugate base after removal of `H^(+)` as compared to phenol

Chloroacetic acid is more acidic than acetic acid due to the presence of electron withdrawing chlorine group attached to `alpha` -carbon of carboxylic acid Hence, correct choice is (c)