Question

Phenol is more acidic than that of ethanol because:

• A. phenoxide ion is bulkier then ethoxide
• B. phenoxide ion is stronger base than ethoxide
• C. phenoxide ion is stabilised through delocalisation
• D. phenoxide ion is less stable than ethoxide

Answer 1

The correct option is C phenoxide ion is stabilised through delocalisation

Phenols are much more acidic than alcohols because the negative charge in the phenoxide ion is not localized on the oxygen atom as it is in an alkoxide ion but is delocalized as it is shared by a number of carbon atoms in benzene ring.