Question

Explain the acidic nature of phenol.

Answer 1

• Resonance is useful in explaining certain properties such as acidic of phenol. 
• The phenoxide ion is more stabilized than phenol by resonance effect. 
• The resonance favours ionisation of phenol to form H+ and shows acidity.

 

phenoxide ion resonance structures.

• The above structures shows that there is a charge separation in the resonance structure of phenol which needs energy whereas there is no such hybrid structures in the case of phenoxide ion. This increases stability accounts for the acidic character of phenol.