Q53 of 74 Page 158

Explain why p-nitrophenol is more acidic than phenol.

Para-nitrophenol is more acidic than phenol due to the presence of an electron withdrawing group, -NO2 group, which enhances the acidic strength of the compound by stabilizing the phenoxide ion and the ortho- and para-positions in the benzene ring becomes electron rich. Therefore, p-nitrophenol can easily release a proton as compared to phenol.


More from this chapter

All 74 →
51

Why is the C—O—H bond angle in alcohols slightly less than the tetrahedral angle whereas the C—O—C bond angle in ether is slightly greater?

 52

Explain why low molecular mass alcohols are soluble in water.

 54

Explain why alcohols and ethers of comparable molecular mass have different boiling points?

 55

The carbon-oxygen bond in phenol is slightly stronger than that in methanol. Why?