Question

Phenol is not affected when it reacts with HCl, why?

Answer 1

Phenol dissociates to form phenoxide ion. As phenol is a weak acid, the equilibrium lies to the left (phenol remains primarily in undissociated form). Presence of a base shifts the equilibrium to the right forming phenoxide ion as base removes the hydronium ion. In acidic solutions, the equilibrium remains unaffected and phenol remains unaffected.