The correct order for the acidic character of the following carboxylic acids is

V is most stable because its anion is stabilized to a greater extent through H–bonding with H atom of OH present on both ortho-positions; followed by II in which one OH group is present. Compound IV comes next to II because here –OCH₃ group is present in ortho position which although is not capable of forming H–bonding yet more acidic than p- HOC₆H₄COOH (III) due to ortho effect. Compound III is less acidic than benzoic acid because of electron-releasing group in the para position. Thus