Question:

Assertion (A): p-nitrophenol is less acidic than phenol.
Reason (R): Nitro group is an electron-withdrawing group, which stabilises the phenoxide ion.

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Electron Withdrawing Groups (EWGs) like $-NO_2$ INCREASE acidity. Electron Donating Groups (EDGs) like $-CH_3$ DECREASE acidity.
Updated On: Jul 22, 2026
  • Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
  • Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
  • Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
  • Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Concept
The acidity of a phenol derivative depends heavily on the stability of its conjugate base, the phenoxide ion.

Step 2: Meaning
Any substituent that stabilizes the phenoxide ion (by dispersing its negative charge) will increase the acidity of the parent compound.

Step 3: Analysis
The nitro group ($-NO_2$) is a powerful electron-withdrawing group (EWG) due to its -I (inductive) and -R (resonance) effects. When attached at the para position, it efficiently withdraws electron density and highly stabilizes the resulting p-nitrophenoxide ion. Thus, p-nitrophenol is significantly more acidic than phenol.

Step 4: Conclusion
The assertion claims p-nitrophenol is less acidic, which is false. The reason correctly identifies the nitro group as an EWG that stabilizes the phenoxide ion, which is a true statement.

Final Answer: (D)
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