explain why phenol is more acidic than Ethyl alcohol Related: Structu...
Acidity is directly proportional to the stability of conjugate base.
Since the phenoxide ions present in phenol undergoes resonance stability, the conjugate base of phenol is more stable than that of ethyl alcohol (ethanol).
Hence, phenol is more acidic than ethanol.
explain why phenol is more acidic than Ethyl alcohol Related: Structu...
Phenol and Ethanol Structures
Phenol and Ethanol are both organic compounds that contain hydroxyl functional groups. However, phenol is more acidic than ethanol. Let's explore why this is the case.
Electronegativity Difference
One of the key factors that determines the acidity of a compound is the electronegativity difference between the hydrogen atom and the attached atom or group. In the case of phenol and ethanol, both compounds have a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a carbon atom. However, in phenol, the attached atom is a benzene ring, while in ethanol, it is an alkyl group.
The benzene ring in phenol is highly electron-withdrawing due to the delocalization of electrons in the aromatic system. This leads to an increased electronegativity of the oxygen atom in the hydroxyl group. As a result, the oxygen atom in phenol is more capable of stabilizing the negative charge that forms when the hydroxyl group loses a proton, making it more acidic than ethanol.
Resonance Stabilization
Another factor that contributes to the acidity of phenol is the resonance stabilization of the resulting phenoxide ion. When phenol loses a proton, it forms a resonance-stabilized phenoxide ion. The negative charge in the phenoxide ion can be delocalized or spread out over the entire benzene ring, which provides additional stability to the ion.
In contrast, ethanol forms an alkoxide ion when it loses a proton, which does not exhibit the same degree of resonance stabilization as the phenoxide ion. The negative charge in the alkoxide ion is localized on the oxygen atom, leading to a less stable ion.
Conclusion
In summary, phenol is more acidic than ethanol due to the electronegativity difference between the attached atom or group and the hydrogen atom, as well as the resonance stabilization of the resulting phenoxide ion. The electron-withdrawing benzene ring in phenol increases the electronegativity of the oxygen atom in the hydroxyl group, making it more capable of stabilizing the negative charge. Additionally, the resonance stabilization of the phenoxide ion provides further stability, making phenol a stronger acid compared to ethanol.