Statement I: The acidic strength of monosubstituted nitrophenol is higher than phenol because of the electron-withdrawing nitro group. Statement II: o-nitrophenol, m-nitrophenol and p-nitrophenol will have the same acidic strength as they have one nitro group attached to the phenolic ring. Choose the most appropriate answer.
Answer: (C) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect. \textbf{Answer:} (c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect \textbf{Solution:} Statement I is correct: the electron-withdrawing group disperses the negative charge on the phenoxide ion, increasing acidity relative to phenol.
- A.Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
- B.Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
- C.Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect✓
- D.Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Correct Answer
(C) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
Solution & Explanation
\textbf{Answer:} (c) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect \textbf{Solution:} Statement I is correct: the electron-withdrawing group disperses the negative charge on the phenoxide ion, increasing acidity relative to phenol. Statement II is incorrect: o-, m- and p-nitrophenol have different acidic strengths because exerts both and effects. The effect operates only from the ortho and para positions, so o- and p-nitrophenol are more acidic than m-nitrophenol.