Question

which one is the strongest acid- phenol or cresol?? why??

Answer 1

Phenol is more acidic than cresol. Cresol has an electron donating methyl group, which reduces its electron deficiency of the phenol group and hence acidity.

The methyl group has +I effect as well as hyperconjugation effect, both of which increase the electron density in the O-H bond, and hence all cresols are weaker acids than phenol.