Given are cyclohexanol (I), acetic acid (II), 2, 4, 6-trinitrophenol (III) and phenol (IV). In these the order of decreasing acidic character will be
- III > II > IV > I
- II > III > I > IV
- II > III > IV > I
- III > IV > II > I
Answer
(1) III > II > IV > I
Solution
2,4,6-Trinitrophenol (picric acid): three –NO2 groups strongly stabilise the phenoxide ion (pKa 0.7) – strongest acid.
Acetic acid (pKa 4.76): carboxylate ion stabilised by two equivalent resonance structures.
Phenol (pKa 10): phenoxide is resonance stabilised, but less effectively.
Cyclohexanol (pKa 18): alkoxide ion is not resonance stabilised – weakest acid.
III > II > IV > I
Answer: (1)