Question

Which of the following compounds is the best proton acceptor?

• A. Ethanol
• B. Phenol
• C. p-Cresol
• D. p-Nitrophenol

Answer 1

The correct option is A Ethanol

Proton acceptor indicates the basic nature of the compound. Ethanol is the only alcohol in the given compounds, and it is the least acidic, because phenols are more acidic than alcohols due to
(i) the higher electronegativity of $s{p}^2$ ​carbon to which OH ​group is attached.
(ii) the electron withdrawing nature of the benzene ring​.
Hence ethanol can accept proton.