Which of the following order is true regardingthe acidic nature of phenol?

Acidity of the substituted phenols is affected by the nature of the substituents.



Presence of \( e^{-} \)withdrawing group such as \( -\mathrm{NO}_{2} \) increases the acidic strength whereas \( e^{-} \)releasing or donating
groups at 0- and p- position decreases acidic strength of substituted phenol.
In cresol (o- or p- cresol) methyl groups shows + I effect, soit destabilizes the anion formed after ionization hence cresol
is less acidic and o-nitrophenol is more acidic than carbolic acid (phenol). Hence, the correct order for the acidic nature
is o-cresol < phenol < o-nitrophenol.