Class 12 NEET Chemistry Alcohols, Phenols And Ethers

Phenols are much more acidic than alcohols, due to the stabilisation of phenoxide ion by resonance.−NO2 is the electron withdrawing group and helps in stabilizing the negative charge on the oxygen hence equilibrium shifts in forward direction and more H+ remove easily. Hence, it is most acidic.−CH3 is the electron donating group.
Hence electron density increases on the oxygen and destabilizes the product. Thus, equilibrium shifts in backward direction.