11.68 Explain why is ortho nitrophenol more acidic than ortho methoxyphenol ?

<p><em><strong>11.68</strong></em></p><p><em>Ortho</em>-nitro phenol is more acidic than ortho-methoxy phenol.</p><p>Explanation: Due to strong –R and –I effect of NO₂ group, electron density in the O-H bond decreases and hence the loss of a proton becomes easy.</p><p>Now after the loss of a proton, the o-nitrophenoxide ion left behind is stabilized by resonance and thus making o-nitro phenol a stronger acid.</p><p>In contrast, due to the +R effect of methoxy group increases the electron density in the O-H bond. Thereby making the loss of proton difficult.</p><p>Now, the o-methoxyphenoxide ion left after the loss of a proton is destabilized by resonance. The two negative charges repel each other, thereby destabilizing the o-methoxyphenoxide ion.</p><p>Therefore, o-nitrophenol is more acidic than o-methoxyphenyl.</p>

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