BY Team Aakash Byjus

Here's Why Phenols are More Acidic Than Alcohols:

Class 12 Chemistry

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Phenols

Phenols are aromatic compounds that are also known as Carbolic acids. Formula: C6H6O

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Examples

Household cleaners, Mouth wash and Disinfectants.

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Phenols are the organic molecules that are weak acids and soluble in water.

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Phenols have one hydroxyl group and one phenyl group bound to each other.

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Alcohols  Alcohols are chemical compounds that carry at least one hydroxyl group.

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Example and Formula  Methanol - CH3OH Ethanol - C2H5OH

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Alcohols are of three kinds. They are: - Primary alcohols - Secondary alcohols - Tertiary alcohols

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Generally, phenols are more acidic than alcohols due to the close connection with the aromatic ring with the Oxygen and a fragile bond between the Oxygen and Hydrogen. They have higher acidity.

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Phenols have stabilisation of phenoxide ion through resonance.

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The presence of an electron removing group raises the acidity of phenol by stabilising phenoxide ion, while the presence of the electron adding group reduces the acidity of phenol by destabilising phenoxide ion.