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The reaction of phenol with aqueous sodium hydroxide indicates that phenols are stronger acids than alcohols and water. Due to the higher electronegativity of sp2 hybridised carbon of phenol to which –OH is attached, electron density decreases on oxygen. This increases the polarity of O–H bond and results in an increase in ionisation of phenols than that of alcohols. Now let us examine the stabilities of alkoxide and phenoxide ions. In alkoxide ion, the negative charge is localised on oxygen while in phenoxide ion, the charge is delocalised. The delocalisation of negative charge makes phenoxide ion more stable and favours the ionisation of phenol.

Q. Which of the following is most acidic?
  • a)
    Benzyl alcohol
  • b)
    Cyclohexanol
  • c)
    Phenol
  • d)
    m-Chlorophenol
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:The re...
Yes due to the presence of a electron withdrawing group that is Cl - the acidity of the compound increases and hence it is the most acidic among these
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Explanation:

Acidity of the given compounds:
- Benzyl alcohol: It is less acidic compared to phenol as the benzyl group stabilizes the phenoxide ion formed upon deprotonation.
- Cyclohexanol: It is less acidic than phenol because the cyclohexyl group is larger and less electron-withdrawing than the benzene ring in phenol.
- Phenol: It is more acidic than benzyl alcohol and cyclohexanol due to the higher electronegativity of the sp2 hybridized carbon in the phenol ring.
- m-Chlorophenol: It is more acidic than phenol due to the presence of a chloro substituent that further increases the electron density on the phenoxide ion, stabilizing it.

Reason for m-Chlorophenol being the most acidic:
- The presence of a chloro substituent in m-chlorophenol increases the electron density on the phenoxide ion through inductive effects, making it more stable than phenol.
- The increased stability of the phenoxide ion in m-chlorophenol results in easier deprotonation, making it the most acidic compound among the given options.

Therefore, m-Chlorophenol is the most acidic compound among the given options due to the additional electron-donating effect of the chloro substituent, which stabilizes the phenoxide ion.
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Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:The reaction of phenol with aqueous sodium hydroxide indicates that phenols are stronger acids than alcohols and water. Due to the higher electronegativity of sp2 hybridised carbon of phenol to which –OH is attached, electron density decreases on oxygen. This increases the polarity of O–H bond and results in an increase in ionisation of phenols than that of alcohols. Now let us examine the stabilities of alkoxide and phenoxide ions. In alkoxide ion, the negative charge is localised on oxygen while in phenoxide ion, the charge is delocalised. The delocalisation of negative charge makes phenoxide ion more stable and favours the ionisation of phenol.Q. Which of the following is most acidic?a)Benzyl alcoholb)Cyclohexanolc)Phenold)m-ChlorophenolCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?
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Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:The reaction of phenol with aqueous sodium hydroxide indicates that phenols are stronger acids than alcohols and water. Due to the higher electronegativity of sp2 hybridised carbon of phenol to which –OH is attached, electron density decreases on oxygen. This increases the polarity of O–H bond and results in an increase in ionisation of phenols than that of alcohols. Now let us examine the stabilities of alkoxide and phenoxide ions. In alkoxide ion, the negative charge is localised on oxygen while in phenoxide ion, the charge is delocalised. The delocalisation of negative charge makes phenoxide ion more stable and favours the ionisation of phenol.Q. Which of the following is most acidic?a)Benzyl alcoholb)Cyclohexanolc)Phenold)m-ChlorophenolCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? for Class 12 2024 is part of Class 12 preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the Class 12 exam syllabus. Information about Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:The reaction of phenol with aqueous sodium hydroxide indicates that phenols are stronger acids than alcohols and water. Due to the higher electronegativity of sp2 hybridised carbon of phenol to which –OH is attached, electron density decreases on oxygen. This increases the polarity of O–H bond and results in an increase in ionisation of phenols than that of alcohols. Now let us examine the stabilities of alkoxide and phenoxide ions. In alkoxide ion, the negative charge is localised on oxygen while in phenoxide ion, the charge is delocalised. The delocalisation of negative charge makes phenoxide ion more stable and favours the ionisation of phenol.Q. Which of the following is most acidic?a)Benzyl alcoholb)Cyclohexanolc)Phenold)m-ChlorophenolCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for Class 12 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:The reaction of phenol with aqueous sodium hydroxide indicates that phenols are stronger acids than alcohols and water. Due to the higher electronegativity of sp2 hybridised carbon of phenol to which –OH is attached, electron density decreases on oxygen. This increases the polarity of O–H bond and results in an increase in ionisation of phenols than that of alcohols. Now let us examine the stabilities of alkoxide and phenoxide ions. In alkoxide ion, the negative charge is localised on oxygen while in phenoxide ion, the charge is delocalised. The delocalisation of negative charge makes phenoxide ion more stable and favours the ionisation of phenol.Q. Which of the following is most acidic?a)Benzyl alcoholb)Cyclohexanolc)Phenold)m-ChlorophenolCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:The reaction of phenol with aqueous sodium hydroxide indicates that phenols are stronger acids than alcohols and water. Due to the higher electronegativity of sp2 hybridised carbon of phenol to which –OH is attached, electron density decreases on oxygen. This increases the polarity of O–H bond and results in an increase in ionisation of phenols than that of alcohols. Now let us examine the stabilities of alkoxide and phenoxide ions. In alkoxide ion, the negative charge is localised on oxygen while in phenoxide ion, the charge is delocalised. The delocalisation of negative charge makes phenoxide ion more stable and favours the ionisation of phenol.Q. Which of the following is most acidic?a)Benzyl alcoholb)Cyclohexanolc)Phenold)m-ChlorophenolCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for Class 12. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for Class 12 Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:The reaction of phenol with aqueous sodium hydroxide indicates that phenols are stronger acids than alcohols and water. Due to the higher electronegativity of sp2 hybridised carbon of phenol to which –OH is attached, electron density decreases on oxygen. This increases the polarity of O–H bond and results in an increase in ionisation of phenols than that of alcohols. Now let us examine the stabilities of alkoxide and phenoxide ions. In alkoxide ion, the negative charge is localised on oxygen while in phenoxide ion, the charge is delocalised. The delocalisation of negative charge makes phenoxide ion more stable and favours the ionisation of phenol.Q. Which of the following is most acidic?a)Benzyl alcoholb)Cyclohexanolc)Phenold)m-ChlorophenolCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:The reaction of phenol with aqueous sodium hydroxide indicates that phenols are stronger acids than alcohols and water. Due to the higher electronegativity of sp2 hybridised carbon of phenol to which –OH is attached, electron density decreases on oxygen. This increases the polarity of O–H bond and results in an increase in ionisation of phenols than that of alcohols. Now let us examine the stabilities of alkoxide and phenoxide ions. In alkoxide ion, the negative charge is localised on oxygen while in phenoxide ion, the charge is delocalised. The delocalisation of negative charge makes phenoxide ion more stable and favours the ionisation of phenol.Q. Which of the following is most acidic?a)Benzyl alcoholb)Cyclohexanolc)Phenold)m-ChlorophenolCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:The reaction of phenol with aqueous sodium hydroxide indicates that phenols are stronger acids than alcohols and water. Due to the higher electronegativity of sp2 hybridised carbon of phenol to which –OH is attached, electron density decreases on oxygen. This increases the polarity of O–H bond and results in an increase in ionisation of phenols than that of alcohols. Now let us examine the stabilities of alkoxide and phenoxide ions. In alkoxide ion, the negative charge is localised on oxygen while in phenoxide ion, the charge is delocalised. The delocalisation of negative charge makes phenoxide ion more stable and favours the ionisation of phenol.Q. Which of the following is most acidic?a)Benzyl alcoholb)Cyclohexanolc)Phenold)m-ChlorophenolCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:The reaction of phenol with aqueous sodium hydroxide indicates that phenols are stronger acids than alcohols and water. Due to the higher electronegativity of sp2 hybridised carbon of phenol to which –OH is attached, electron density decreases on oxygen. This increases the polarity of O–H bond and results in an increase in ionisation of phenols than that of alcohols. Now let us examine the stabilities of alkoxide and phenoxide ions. In alkoxide ion, the negative charge is localised on oxygen while in phenoxide ion, the charge is delocalised. The delocalisation of negative charge makes phenoxide ion more stable and favours the ionisation of phenol.Q. Which of the following is most acidic?a)Benzyl alcoholb)Cyclohexanolc)Phenold)m-ChlorophenolCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Read the passage given below and answer the following questions:The reaction of phenol with aqueous sodium hydroxide indicates that phenols are stronger acids than alcohols and water. Due to the higher electronegativity of sp2 hybridised carbon of phenol to which –OH is attached, electron density decreases on oxygen. This increases the polarity of O–H bond and results in an increase in ionisation of phenols than that of alcohols. Now let us examine the stabilities of alkoxide and phenoxide ions. In alkoxide ion, the negative charge is localised on oxygen while in phenoxide ion, the charge is delocalised. The delocalisation of negative charge makes phenoxide ion more stable and favours the ionisation of phenol.Q. Which of the following is most acidic?a)Benzyl alcoholb)Cyclohexanolc)Phenold)m-ChlorophenolCorrect answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice Class 12 tests.
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