Question

determine the acidity order and explain how?​

Answer 1

hello There,

There are 2 effect which will decide Acidity

1) Resonance effect
2) Electron Withdrawing / releasing group

resonance effect acts same for all position but it is not pronounced at meta position .
You can look for contributing resonance structures

NO2 is a strong electron withdrawing group and , so it makes release of hydrogen more easier making it more acidic.

CH3 is electron releasing group and it makes release of hydrogen more difficult making it less acidic.

Electron withdrawing effect is distance dependent so as distance increase its effect decreases .


Acidity order is :

Meta<Para<Ortho
(NOT IN ALL CASES ONLY HERE)


so considering all factors

PARA NITROPHENOL >META NITROPHENOL > PHENOL > 4-METHYL PHENOL


Note : Dont make this trend you have to consider all factor .