A. rank the following according to acid
strength.
1. phenol
2. meta-nitrophenol
3. 4-nitrophenol
B. explain why
The nitro group attached to a conjugated system shows strong -M effect, and this decreases the electron density more at the ortho and para positions than at the meta position. This factor helps greater stabilisation of the conjugate base (nitro phenoxide ion) of the ortho and para isomers than that of the meta isomer. So, meta nitrophenol is the weaker in terms of acidity.
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