Explain why is $O H$ group in phenols more strongly held as compared to $O H$ group in alcohols.

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Solution

The $- O H$ group in phenols are more strongly held as compared to $- O H$ group in alcohols. This is because in phenol, there is a partial double bond character in $C - O$ bond due to resonance, involving the conjugation of lone pairs of electrons on $O$ atom with the benzene ring. So, $C - O$ bond is stronger in phenols as compared to alcohols.

The resonating structures of phenol are shown below:

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