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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3g2188

In the gas phase, the correct order of acidity of the alcohols is

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D

Answer: C

With no solvent, larger alkyl groups stabilise the alkoxide anion by their greater polarisability, which spreads the charge. So acidity rises with alkyl size, the reverse of the order in water, where solvation of the small alkoxide dominates.
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