See image — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

# Solution We need to verify three conditions for option (A): **Condition 1: First member more basic than aniline** - First member: $o$-toluidine ($o$-$CH_3$-$C_6H_4$-$NH_2$) - $CH_3$ is an electron-donating group (inductive effect) that increases electron density on nitrogen - This increases basicity compared to aniline ($C_6H_5NH_2$) ✓ **Condition 2: Second member less acidic than benzoic acid** - Second member: $p$-hydroxybenzoic acid ($p$-$HO$-$C_6H_4$-$COOH$) - $-OH$ is strongly electron-donating (resonance effect dominates) - It increases electron density on the carboxyl group, making it harder to release $H^+$ - Therefore, less acidic than benzoic acid ($C_6H_5COOH$) ✓ **Condition 3: Third member has opposite signs of inductive and mesomeric effects** - Third member: Phenol ($C_6H_5OH$) - $-OH$ group: - **Inductive effect**: Negative (−I) — electron-withdrawing by inductive criteria - **Mesomeric effect**: Positive (+M) — electron-donating through resonance - These effects have **opposite signs** ✓ **Answer: (A)** satisfies all three conditions.