ethyl alcohol ( C2H5OH ) contains both H and OH groups,yet it is neither acidic nor basic. why? how can u test that it does not give H+ ions or OH- ions in the solution?
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Because acids produces hydrogen ions and bases produces hydroxide ions and when they both can mixes, they forms salt which is neutral in nature.
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Acidity of any compound depends upon the stability of conjugate base. Higher the stability of conjugate base greater will be the acidity of tge corresponding acid.
For ethanol the conjugate base is ethoxide ion. This is not much stable because it is not stabilised through any type of electronic effect that is either resonance or electron withdrawing effecr containing group. On the other hand the ethoxide ion is destabilised due to =I effect of ethyl group.That's why Ethyl alcohol ( C2H5OH ) contains both H and OH groups,yet it is neither acidic nor basic.
If we put any litmus paper in the ethanolic solution then no colour change will be observed.
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