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JEE Main 2026 Apr 4 Shift 2, Chemistry Q16: Properties of Carboxylic acids

JEE Main2026Apr 4, Shift 2Chemistry
Q.

The descending order of acidity among the following compounds is

Choose the correct answer from the option given below options

  1. A

    B D E A C

  2. B

    D B E A C

  3. C

    C A B D E

  4. D

    D E B A C

Solution

Carboxylic acids (COOH) are far more acidic than phenols (OH on ring) because the carboxylate is much better stabilized by resonance.

So D and E (carboxylic acids) outrank A, B, C (phenols).

Within carboxylic acids: the electron-withdrawing NO at para position stabilizes the carboxylate further, so D (4-nitrobenzoic acid) E (benzoic acid).

Within phenols: NO enhances acidity (B), OCH donates electrons and reduces acidity (C). So B (4-nitrophenol) A (phenol) C (4-methoxyphenol).

D E B A C.

Concept behind this question

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