Question

Why meta cresol is more acidic than para cresol?

Answer 1

when the OH group has lost its H+ ion, u r left with O- ion

if u draw the resonating structures of m-cresol & p-cresol, u'll find that in 1 of the structures of p-cresol,

oxygen's lone pair goes to the benzene carbon having the CH3 group attached, which is not good, as CH3 dont stabilize -ve charge

but in case of m-cresol, the lone pair never lands on the benzene carbon, attached to the CH3 group, which is a slightly favorable thing than landing on a destabilizing zone

hence, m-cresol is more acidic, as it's conjugate base is more stable

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