AIIMS 2019 Chemistry Phenols MCQ Question
ortho-Nitophenol is less soluble in water than p- and m-nitrophenols because:
o-Nitrophenol is more volatile than m- and p-isomers.
o-Nitrophenol shows intramolecular H-bonding
o-Nitrophenol shows intermolecular H-bonding
Melting point of o-nitrophenol is lower than those of m- and p-isomers.
Correct Answer
Detailed Explanation
In o-nitrophenol, the intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl group (–OH) and the nitro group (–NO₂) restricts the availability of the –OH group to interact with water (H₂O), resulting in lower solubility. In contrast, m-nitrophenol and p-nitrophenol do not exhibit such intramolecular hydrogen bonding, allowing their –OH groups to effectively engage in hydrogen bonding with H₂O, thus enhancing their solubility. Other options are not relevant as they do not provide correct or applicable information regarding the solubility of nitrophenols in water.
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