Class 12 NEET Chemistry Alcohols, Phenols And Ethers

In phenols, the presence of electron releasing groups decrease the acidity, whereas presence of electron withdrawing groups increase the acidity, compared to phenol. Among the meta and para-nitrophenols, the latter is more acidic as the presence of −NO2 group at para position stabilises the phenoxide ion to a greater extent than when it is present at meta position. Thus, correct order of acidity is :
Para-nitrophenol > meta-nitrophenol > phenol > methyl phenol
   (iv)      (iii)     (i)    (ii)