Question

Why does the acid strength of alcohols increase in the order tertiary<secondary<primary ?

Answer 1

Dear student!

The compound will be more acidic if they generate a more stable carbocations, because if the carbocation is stabilized then it is easier to donate the acidic proton.

We know that the more substituted carbon atom experiences more hyperconjugation and hence the carbocation is more stabilized. So, the tertiary carbocations are found to be more stable and similarly the secondary is less stable and primary is least stable.

So, the tertiary alcohol is more stable.