The correct decreasing order of acidic strength is\

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Professor PC Thomas Classes · Answer

(d): Phenols are more acidic than alcohols. Acidic strength increases with presence of electron withdrawing groups like (nitro, cyano, aryl etc) and decreases in presence of electron donating groups like (alkyl group). Thus, the acidic strength of cresols w.r.t to phenol decreases in the oder : Phenol > m-Cresol > p-Cresol > o-Cresol Therefore, correct decreasing order of acidic strength is:\ $\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{OH}>m-\mathrm{CH}_{3}-\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{4} \mathrm{OH}>p-\mathrm{CH}_{3}-\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{4} \mathrm{OH}>\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{OH}$\