Question

Which is more acidic Benzoic acid or Phenol?

Answer 1

1. Benzoic acid and Phenols both are organic compounds and are acidic in nature.
2. The acidic strength will give us an idea about the acidic characters.
3. The conjugate base of Benzoic acid is Benzoate ion $\left({\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_5{\mathrm{COO}}^{-}\right)$.
4. This conjugate base is stabilized by two equivalent resonance structures, in which the negative charge is present at a more electronegative atom.
5. It is present on a more electronegative Oxygen atom.
6. 
7. On the other hand conjugate base of Phenol is a Phenoxide ion.
8. It has a non-equivalent resonance structure because a negative charge is present on the less electronegative Carbon atom.
10. 
11. Hence Benzoic acid is more acidic than Phenol.