Arrange the following compounds in order of decreasing acidic strength: Phenol, p-Nitrophenol, p-Cre — Alcohols Phenols and Ethers Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Electron-withdrawing groups ($-NO_2$) stabilize the phenoxide ion through resonance and $-I$ effects, increasing acidity. Electron-donating groups ($-CH_3$ in cresol) destabilize it, decreasing acidity. Thus, p-nitrophenol is the strongest and p-cresol is the weakest.