0
This requires a fair amount of background theoretical knowledge to explain.
Basically, as I'm sure you are aware, ethanol is CH3-CH2-OH. The acidity of a molecule depends on how easily it loses its most acidic proton, which in this case is the hydrogen atom in the alcohol group.
Phenol is C6H6-OH where C6H6 is a benzene ring. Once again, the most acidic proton is the hydrogen atom in the alcohol group.
A molecule is more acidic if the anion formed upon deprotonation (i.e: when it loses its proton, H+), can be stabilised. The benzene ring is much more electron withdrawing than the alkane chain in ethanol (due to delocalisation of the Pi system) which means the resulting negative charge in the anion of phenol can be stabilised much more easily than in ethanol, hence why it has a lower pKa and is more acidic than ethanol.
I hope this helps and if there is anything you don't understand or wish to be explained further, just ask.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoethanol is less acidic than HCL because HCL easily donate Hydrogen ion where as Ehanol does not donate Hydrogen ion easily. An strong acid is that which easily donate Hydrogen ion.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why phenol is more acidic than ethanol?
phenol is more acidic because of the benzene ring present in the molecule,when you lose the H form the OH group it is possible to delocalise the charge around the aromatic system due to the pi electron cloud,straight chain alcohols cannot do this so it is less favourable to deprotonate them hance it is easier to deprotonate a phenol,hence we say it is more acidic
Is hexane more dense than ethanol?
No, hexane is less dense than ethanol- hexane has a density of 0.6548g/mL and ethanol has a density of 0.789g/mL, so hexane will float on top of ethanol.
Why does ethanol burn differently than ethanol and water mixed?
the main reason why ethanol burns differently then ethanol and water mix is mainly because when you add the water to the ethanol you are making the ethanol less potent so it will burn weaker.
Is phenol easier or more difficult to substitute with bromine than benzene?
The substitution reactions of phenol are easier than benzene, phenol directly reacts with bromine and gives tribromo phenol while benzene requires FeCl3 as a catalyst and gives mono bromo phenol.
Which is nitrated faster toluene or phenol Explain?
The nitration of phenol is more rapid than that of toluene.
Why phenol is more acidic than ethanol?
phenol is more acidic because of the benzene ring present in the molecule,when you lose the H form the OH group it is possible to delocalise the charge around the aromatic system due to the pi electron cloud,straight chain alcohols cannot do this so it is less favourable to deprotonate them hance it is easier to deprotonate a phenol,hence we say it is more acidic
Is water more acidic than phenol?
No. Phenol is far more acidic than water.
Is 1-hexanol more acidic or less acidic than phenol?
1-hexanol is an alcohol so it is a neutral compound not an acid while phenol is a strong acid.
Why phenol is stronger acid than ethanol?
phenol is aromatic compound stabilized by resonance where as ethanol is aliphatic
Suggest a chemical test(s) to distinguish ethanol and phenol. Include the reagents reaction conditions and observations. And the equation?
Phenol solution, or phenol directly from the manufacturer?If the phenol is in the form it comes in from the factory, no chemical test is necessary. Phenol is a white crystalline solid.If it's dissolved in water, the easiest test is pH. Phenol solution is more acidic than ethanol. So...whatever you use for a pH test will do ya.
Why phenol more acidic than aliphatic alcohol and water?
why phenol more than aliphatic alcohol and water
Which is more acidic phenol or para-chloro phenol?
Phenol. Anisole doesn't have any acidic protons.
Why are phenols acidic in nature?
Phenol can act as an acid due to it's stability as phenoxide ion. By releasing H+ ion it will form stable C6H5O- ion. The groups having +I, -I , +M , -M efffects present on phenol will effect acidic nature of phenol. As +I or +M groups which are present at ortho and at para psitions will decrease the acidic character of phenol. If they are at meta position effect is less than at para or ortho positions.Similar to this -I or -M gorups are substituted on phenol they will increase the acidic nature. so, we can say that as the stability of phenoxide ion increases acidic nature of phenol also increases.Phenol can act as an acid due to it's stability as phenoxide ion. By releasing H+ ion it will form stable C6H5O- ion. The groups having +I, -I , +M , -M efffects present on phenol will effect acidic nature of phenol. As +I or +M groups which are present at ortho and at para psitions will decrease the acidic character of phenol. If they are at meta position effect is less than at para or ortho positions.Similar to this -I or -M gorups are substituted on phenol they will increase the acidic nature. so, we can say that as the stability of phenoxide ion increases acidic nature of phenol also increases.Phenol is a weak acid because of the presence of the hydrogen ions.
Which is more polar phenol or ethanol?
Yes , phenol is more polar than toluene. because ph-OH has more dipole moment than Ph-CH3
Phenol are acidic in nature but alcohol not yet?
Phenol is more acidic than alcohols since the negative charge that is acquired by removal of a hydrogen atom can be delocalised into the molecules ring structure. acyclic alcohols cannot "spread" this charge as well as conjugated systems and thus will less readily lose their hydrogen atom.
Why is o-aniline phenol less soluble in water than m-aniline phenol?
In o-aniline phenol Intramolecular hydrogen bonding occurs which is not possible in meta and is responsible for less solubility
What the Difference between the alcohol and phenol?
Alcohol: C6H13OH (hydroxy-hexane) Phenol : C6H5OH (hydroxy-benzene) Phenolic -OH is acidic (4x stronger than vinegar) where s alcoholic -OH isn't acidic at all; both are NOT ionic or alkaline (OH-)
