Question

explain the acidic character of alcohol and phenol​

Answer 1

Answer:

The acidic character of alcohols is due to the electronegative oxygen atom which withdraws the electrons of the O-H bond towards itself. As a result, the O-H bond becomes weak and hence a proton can be easily abstracted by a strong base. Actually, alcohols are very weak acids even weaker than water.

Acidic nature of phenol → Any substance which gives hydrogen ions when dissolved in water is known as acid. When phenol is dissolved in water, undergoes dissociation to give hydrogen ion and phenoxide ion. Phenoxide ion is very well stabilized by resonance. Hence phenol is acidic.

Answer 2

Answer:

Phenoxide ion formed is very stable. So, phenol easily gives up the proton so that it can form phenoxide ions. ... Since, phenols can easily donate protons rather than alcohols, phenols are more acidic than alcohols. Note: In phenols, the OH group is connected to a stable benzene ring.

Explanation: