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Grade 11Organic Chemistry

Among the following compounds, the most acidic is : [JEE-2011] (A) p-nitrophenol (B) p-hydroxybenzoic acid (C) o-hydroxybenzoic acid (D) p-toluic acid

Profile image of Naveen
7 Years agoGrade 11
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1 Answer

Profile image of Arun
7 Years ago
Ortho-isomer, a strong hydrogen bridge can be formed between the phenolic -OH and the the carboxylate anion. This will tend to stabilize the conjugated carboxylate base, and hence will increase acidity.

this is the order of acidic 

ortho hydroxy B.acid > meta hydroxy B.acid > benzoic acid > para hydroxy B. acids