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Question:

The strongest acid among the following is: o-methoxyphenol, phenol, m-methoxyphenol, p-methoxyphenol

phenol

o-methoxyphenol

m-methoxyphenol

p-methoxyphenol

Solution:

m-Methoxy phenol is the strongest acid. Methoxy group at meta position exerts an only -I effect. Due to this, it withdraws electrons from all the nuclear position of the benzene ring including the one holding the O−H group consequently, electron density in the O−H bond decreases. Hence, m-methoxy phenol becomes more acidic than o and p-methoxy phenols. Option B is correct.