Question

Arrange the following compounds in order of decreasing acidity:

(I)
(II)
(III)
(IV)

Options

• II > IV > I > III

• I > II > III > IV

• III > I > II > IV

• IV > III > I > II

Answer 1

III > I > II > IV

Explanation:

Electron withdrawing substituents like – NO₂, – Cl increase the acidity of phenol while electron releasing substituents like – CH₃, – OCH₃ decreases acidity. hence the correct order of acidity will be