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Phenols are much more acidic than alcohols. This is indicated in the order of acidity constant:

Ka Gernal formula

PHENOLS 10-10 Ar-OH

ALCOHOLS 10-18 C-OH

Phenols are more acidic due to the formation of phenoxide ions & phenoxide ions are stable due to resonance, the negative charge on oxygen is spread throughout the benzene ring & is delocalised. On the other hand no resonance is possible in alkoxide ions derived from alcohol. The negative charge is localised on single oxygen atom.

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13y ago
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11y ago

Phenols are ''more acidic'' than alcohol since phenols can delocalize its electrons. Also, phenols can remove its hydrogen to make it more stable. The ion is called the phenolate ion.

Acidity depends on the concentration of H+. Due to higher electronegativity of sp2 hybridised carbon of phenol the electron density on the oxygen decreases and hence increases the polarity O-H making the phenol unstable compared to phenolate, so it is more acidic. The C6H5-group is a fully sp2-hybridised electron pulling group.

If you have electron providing groups (sp3) in CH3-CH2-O-H, it may decrease the polarity of O-H bond and destabilize the negatively charged ethanoate group (CH3CH2O-)

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13y ago

Acidity depends on the concentration of H+. Due to higher electronegativity of sp2 hybridised carbon of phenol, the electron density on the oxygen decreases and hence increases the polarity O-H making the phenol unstable compared to phenolate, so it is more acidic. The C6H5-group is a fully sp2-hybridised electron pulling group.

If you have electron providing groups (sp3) in CH3-CH2-O-H, it may decrease the polarity of O-H bond and destabilize the negatively charged ethanoate group (CH3CH2O-)

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10y ago

Alcohol is still slightly acidic. Methanol for instance is around pH 6.8

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12y ago

alcohol. have hydrogen bond

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Q: Why alcohols are more acidic than ammonia?
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