JEE Main · 2026 · 04 Apr 2026 · Shift 2 · Alcohols Phenols and Ethers

Acidity is governed by the stability of the conjugate base. The carboxylate ions from the two benzoic acids are far more resonance-stabilised than the phenoxide ions from the phenols, so both benzoic acids are stronger acids than any phenol. Among the acids, the electron-withdrawing $p\text{-}\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{O}}_2$ stabilises the carboxylate, so $p$-nitrobenzoic acid exceeds benzoic acid. Among the phenols, $p\text{-}\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{O}}_2$ stabilises phenoxide (most acidic phenol), unsubstituted phenol is next, and the electron-donating $p\text{-}\mathrm{OC}{\mathrm{H}}_3$ destabilises phenoxide, making $p$-methoxyphenol the weakest. The descending order of acidity is $p$-nitrobenzoic acid $>$ benzoic acid $>$ $p$-nitrophenol $>$ phenol $>$ $p$-methoxyphenol, i.e. $D>E>B>A>C$.