question_answer

  Give two reactions that show the acidic nature of phenol. Compare acidity of phenol with that of ethanol. [2]

Answer:

  Acidic nature of phenol (a) Phenol reacts with Na liberating .  (b) Phenol reacts with NaOH (base). Phenol is more acidic than ethanol. Phenoxide ion stabilised due to resonance, hence equilibrium (i) is in towards the ionisation of the phenol.  shows (l+) effect and stability of is decreased, makes equilibrium (ii) non-spontaneous in forward side. Thus, is less acidic than phenol.                                                         [1]