Picric acid is the common name for which compound?

Picric acid is the common name for which compound?

• A. Nitrobenzene
• B. Trinitrobenzene
• C. 2,4,6-trinitrophenol
• D. Nitroglycerin

Answer: (C)

Picric acid is the compound that is a phenol with three nitro groups, specifically 2,4,6-trinitrophenol. The hydroxyl group on the benzene ring makes the molecule acidic, and the three nitro groups strongly withdraw electrons, stabilizing the phenoxide form and giving picric acid its very high acidity and bright yellow color. The three nitro groups at positions 2, 4, and 6 explain its name. This distinguishes it from nitrobenzene (one nitro, no OH), trinitrobenzene (three nitro, no OH), and nitroglycerin (an aliphatic nitrate ester, not an aromatic nitro compound).

Picric acid is the compound that is a phenol with three nitro groups, specifically 2,4,6-trinitrophenol. The hydroxyl group on the benzene ring makes the molecule acidic, and the three nitro groups strongly withdraw electrons, stabilizing the phenoxide form and giving picric acid its very high acidity and bright yellow color. The three nitro groups at positions 2, 4, and 6 explain its name. This distinguishes it from nitrobenzene (one nitro, no OH), trinitrobenzene (three nitro, no OH), and nitroglycerin (an aliphatic nitrate ester, not an aromatic nitro compound).