(1) −C≡N , (2) −CONH2 , (3) −O||C−, (4)−CHO
The decreasing order of priority for the given functional groups (for IUPAC nomenclature) is:
2 > 1 > 4 > 3
Answer of the given functional group with decreasing preference is
(2) −CONH2 > (1) −C≡N > (4) −CHO > (3) −O||C−
So answer is (a) is 2 > 1 > 4 > 3