Why ortho-nitrophenol is more acidic than ortho-methoxy phenol ?

To answer this we have to see the reactive nature of phenol and the substituents attached to it.

Acidic behavior of phenol depends on the fact that how easily it can loose a proton and make phenoxide ion which is stabilized by resonance.

The methoxy group being electron donating group increases the electron density of the benzene and make it difficult to make the phenoxide ion. Thus decreasing the acidity of molecule.

Ortho-methoxyphenol

But on the other hand nitro group being electron withdrawing group decrease the electron density on the benzene ring and makes it easy for the formation of phenoxide ion. Thus releasing H+ easily and showing the acidic character.

Ortho-nitrophenol

Published by Ankush Sharma

I am M.Sc (chemistry ) from Punjabi University Patiala. I am a science teacher with expertise in chemistry, with 8 years of experience in teaching. Writing and blogging is my hobby, I write whenever I am free. I am constantly working on creating a new and easy way of learning the tough things in an effective way. I am constantly working to make authentic and reliable information to be shared with my students and widen the horizons of knowledge.

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