Why is a phenol more acidic than a regular alcohol? Group of answer choices

a. Phenols have the ability to spread out the negative charge that forms.

b. Phenols have the ability to readily accept the positive charge of the proton.

c. The negative charge is very concentrated on the oxygen ring of the phenol.

d. The phenol has more negative charge and therefore is more stable. Phenols are not more acidic than a regular alcohol.

Question

Chemistry

Lailah Randolph

19 February, 13:16

Why is a phenol more acidic than a regular alcohol? Group of answer choices

a. Phenols have the ability to spread out the negative charge that forms.

b. Phenols have the ability to readily accept the positive charge of the proton.

c. The negative charge is very concentrated on the oxygen ring of the phenol.

d. The phenol has more negative charge and therefore is more stable. Phenols are not more acidic than a regular alcohol.

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Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

April Friedman · Answer 1

a. Phenols have the ability to spread out the negative charge that forms.

Explanation:

This happens because of the aromatic ring the phenols have. When loosing the proton, the anion formed have different resonance isomers due to the double bonds in the aromatic ring. This resonance makes the anion more stable and prevents the reaction going backwards.

On the other hand, regular alcohol doesn't have resonace and the reaction of loosing the proton goes leftward and righward: is in equilibrium.

That equilibrium decreases the acidity of the alcohol.