Question

Phenol is a weaker acid than acetic acid because

• A. Phenoxide ion is better stabilized by resonance than acetate ion.
• B. Acetate ion is better stabilized by resonance than phenoxide ion.
• C. Phenol is less solute in water than acetic acid.
• D. Both phenoxide ion and acetate ion are stable.

Answer 1

The correct option is B Acetate ion is better stabilized by resonance than phenoxide ion.

Resonating structure of phenoxide ion:
Resonating structures of acetate ion:

The products both phenoxide and acetate ions are resonance stabilized. In acetate ion, all the canonical structures are equally contributing. More contributing the resonance structures more will be stability. Hence acetic acid is a better acid than phenol.