General Organic ChemistryHard

Question

Given the cyclohexanol (I), acetic acid (II), 2, 4, 6 -trinitrophenol (III) and phenol (IV). In these, the order of decreasing acidic character will be

Options

A.III > II > IV > I
B.II > III > I > IV
C.II > III > IV > I
D.III > IV > II > I

Solution

Higher the tendency to give a proton, higher the acidic character, and tendency to lose a proton depends upon the stability of intermediate, ie, carbanion formed.
2, 4, 6-trinitrophenol after the loss of as proton gives 2,4,6- rinitrophenoxide ion which is stabilised by resonance, -I effect and -M effect, thus is most acidic among the given compounds.
Phenol after losing a proton form phenoxide ion which is also stabilised by resonance, -M and -I effect but it less stabilised as compared to 2, 4, 6-trinitrophenoxide ions Thus it is less acidic as compared to 2 ,4 ,6-trinitrophenol.
(CH3COOH) after losing a proton gives acetate ion which is stabilised by only resonance. However, it is more resonance stabilised as compared to phenoxide ion, thus more acidic as compared to a phenol. 2, 4, 6- trinitrophenol, however , is more acetic than acetic acid due to the presence of three electron withdrawing NO2 groups. Cyclohexanol gives an anion that is least stable among the given, thus, it is least acidic,
Hence, the correct order of acidic strength is 2,4,6-trinitrophenol > acetic acid > phenol > cyclohexanol
                III > II > IV > I

Create a free account to view solution

View Solution Free
Topic: General Organic Chemistry·Practice all General Organic Chemistry questions

More General Organic Chemistry Questions