Question

Assertion (A): p-nitrophenol is less acidic than phenol.
Reason (R): Nitro group is electron-withdrawing and helps in the stabilization of p-nitrophenoxide ion.

• A. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
• B. Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
• C. Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
• D. Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Hint:

The presence of an electron-withdrawing group like nitro increases the acidity of phenols by stabilizing the conjugate base.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

- Assertion (A) is incorrect because p-nitrophenol is actually more acidic than phenol, due to the electron-withdrawing nature of the nitro group, which stabilizes the conjugate base (p-nitrophenoxide ion).
- Reason (R) is true because the nitro group, being electron-withdrawing, helps in the stabilization of the conjugate base, thereby increasing the acidity of p-nitrophenol.

Step 1: The electron-withdrawing nitro group stabilizes the conjugate base, making p-nitrophenol more acidic than phenol.