Chemistry · Phenols: Acidic nature, electrophilic substitution reactions, halogenation, nitration and sulphonation, Reimer Tiemann reaction

The strongest acid among the following is:

The strongest acid among the following is:

  • A. o-methoxyphenol
  • B. m-methoxyphenol
  • C. p-methoxyphenol
  • D. phenol

Step-by-step solution

Methoxy group is electron-donating via resonance at ortho and para positions, which destabilizes the phenoxide ion and decreases acidity. At meta position, resonance donation is not possible, so the inductive electron-withdrawing effect dominates, making m-methoxyphenol more acidic than phenol and the other isomers. Thus, m-methoxyphenol is the strongest acid.
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