See image — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

# Analysis of Acidity Statements ## Evaluating Each Option: **(a) p-nitro phenol vs p-fluoro phenol** ✓ CORRECT - $NO_2$ is a strong electron-withdrawing group (EWG) via both inductive and resonance effects - $F$ is weakly electron-withdrawing (only inductive, resonance is donation-dominant) - EWG groups stabilize the conjugate base phenoxide ion, increasing acidity - p-nitrophenol is indeed more acidic **(b) $-NMe_3^{\oplus}$ vs $-NH_3$ as leaving groups** ✓ CORRECT - $-NMe_3^{\oplus}$ has a quaternary nitrogen (positively charged, more electron-deficient) - $-NH_3$ has a secondary nitrogen with lone pair - Quaternary ammonium is a much better/stronger leaving group - Statement is correct **(c) Acidity of nitrobenzoic acids: o > p > m** ✗ **INCORRECT** - Nitro group ($NO_2$) is a strong EWG attached to the benzene ring - **Ortho and para positions**: EWG effects are additive (inductive + resonance stabilization of conjugate base) - **Meta position**: Only inductive EWG effect operates (no resonance stabilization) - **Correct order should be: o ≈ p > m** - The para and ortho effects are comparable; ortho may be slightly higher due to dipole effects - Claiming o > p > m incorrectly suggests para is worse than meta, which is false **(d) Acidity: Acetic acid > Formaldehyde hydrate** ✓ CORRECT - Acetic acid ($CH_3COOH$, $pK_a \approx 4.74$) is a true carboxylic acid - Formaldehyde hydrate ($CH_2(OH)_2$, a gem-diol) is much weaker - Carboxyl group is far more acidic than hydroxyl groups **Answer: (c) is incorrect** because the acidity order should be o,p > m (not o > p > m).