Question

Explain the Acidic nature of phenols and compare with that of alcohols.

Answer 1

Acidic nature of phenol $\to$

Any substance which gives hydrogen ions when dissolved in water is known as acid. When phenol is dissolved in water, undergoes dissociation to give hydrogen ion and phenoxide ion. Phenoxide ion is very well stabilized by resonance. Hence phenol is acidic.

$\Rightarrow$ Phenol is more acidic than alcohols due to stabilization of phenoxide ion through resonance. Presence of the electron withdrawing group increases the acidity of phenol by stabilizing phenoxide ion while the presence of the electron releasing group decreases the acidity of phenol by destabilizing phenoxide ion.

Hence Phenol is more acidic than Alcohols.