Statement (I) : p-nitrophenol is more acidic than m -nitrophenol and o-nitrophenol. Statement (II) : Ethanol will give immediate turbidity with Lucas reagent. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :
(A)Statement I is true but Statement II is false✓ Correct
(B)Both Statement I and Statement II are true
(C)Both Statement I and Statement II are false
(D)Statement I is false but Statement II is true
Answer: (A)
Solution
Statement I is true: acidity order is p-nitrophenol >m-nitrophenol >o-nitrophenol. The para-nitro group conjugates directly with the ring to delocalize the phenoxide's negative charge onto oxygen; in the ortho isomer, intramolecular hydrogen bonding to the −OH instead reduces its acidity, and in the meta isomer the nitro group cannot resonance-stabilize the phenoxide at all.
Statement II is false: ethanol is a primary alcohol and gives no immediate turbidity with Lucas reagent (ZnCl2/HCl); primary alcohols react only slowly, typically needing heating.
JEE Main · 2024 · 27 Jan 2024 · Shift 1 · Single correct option