Question

how do you account for the difference in acidity between meta and para methoxyphenol?

Answer 1

acidity is essentially due to the ability to "lose" or "donate" a Hydrogen ion as H+ in solution

this is due to electronegativity difference

this is due to forces of electrons and protons interacting between each other in repulsion and attractions

The force depends on:

- charge

- distance

position of meta and para are clearly different length away

therefore

para has the "farther" position as meta

therefore, expect less interaction

less interaction, less force, less force less electronegativity difference

less electornegativity difference, less posibility of polarizing with H+

therefore, less acidic