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Assertion (A) : The… (Class 12 Chemistry 2026, Q14)

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ChemistryCBSE Class 12 · Board exam 2026, set 56/1/1 · 1 mark · Assertion-reason

CBSE Class 12 Chemistry 2026: question 14

Set in the CBSE Class 12 board exam of 2026, paper 56/1/1, section A, question 14, for 1 mark. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q14 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonCompetency-basedAlcohols, Phenols and Ethers

Assertion (A) : The presence of –OH group in phenols directs the incoming group to meta position in the ring.
Reason (R) : –OH group in phenols activates the aromatic ring towards electrophilic substitution reaction.

  1. (A)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
  2. (B)Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the Assertion (A).
  3. (C)Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
  4. (D)Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2026 board paper, set 56/1/1.

Hints

Open one hint at a time and try again before the next.

Hint 1

Draw the resonance structures of phenol.

Hint 2

Find where the negative charge builds up on the ring.

Step-by-step solution

Each step shows the marks it earns, as an examiner would award them. Checked by an independent re-solve from the question paper.

  1. The –OH group directs incoming groups to the ortho and para positions, not meta, so A is false.

  2. –OH does activate the ring by its +R effect, so R is true. Option (D).

    1 mark

Answer: Option (D)

Where the marks are

  • A is false and R is true (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2026 board paper, set 56/1/1: every question, by section.

The question is transcribed from the official paper; figures are described in words. The solution, hints and chapter tag are ours. Spotted an error? Write tosupport@questionbuddy.in.