Final answer:
The compound with the highest solubility in water among the given options is p-nitrophenol (Option 3).
Step-by-step explanation:
Solubility in water is influenced by several factors including the intermolecular forces between the solute and the solvent.
In this case, p-nitrophenol has a higher solubility because it can form hydrogen bonds with the water molecules. The nitro group (NO₂) in p-nitrophenol can participate in hydrogen bonding, enhancing its solubility in water.
Phenol (Option 1), o-nitrophenol (Option 2), and m-nitrophenol (Option 4) have lower solubilities in water compared to p-nitrophenol. Phenol is only partially soluble in water due to weak hydrogen bonding.
O-nitrophenol and m-nitrophenol have lower solubilities because the nitro group is less capable of forming hydrogen bonds compared to the p-nitrophenol isomer.
The compound with the highest solubility in water among the options given is p-nitrophenol (Option 3).