Given below are two statements: In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below :
- Both Statement I and Statement II are correct.
- Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect.
- Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
- Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct.
Answer
(3) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
Solution
Statement I: The nitro group is electron withdrawing; it stabilises the phenoxide ion by dispersing its negative charge. Hence nitrophenols are more acidic than phenol. Correct.
Statement II: As per NCERT, the effect depends on the position of the nitro group. In o- and p-nitrophenol the -NO2 group acts by both -R and -I effects, but in m-nitrophenol only by the -I effect.
∴ acidic strength: p-nitrophenol > o-nitrophenol > m-nitrophenol > phenol. So the three isomers do not have the same acidic strength. Incorrect.
Answer: (3)