Chemistry - GOC Question with Solution | TestHub

Phenol is a stronger acid than the ethanol. This is due to the resonance stabilisaton of the phenolate ion which is produced after deprotonation.
$$\text{ But there is no such stabilisation in the case of ethanol }$$ $${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}\rightleftharpoons {\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5{\mathrm{O}}^{-}+{\mathrm{H}}^{+}$$ The groups with $+M$ and $-I$ effect decrease the acidity at $p$-position, but at $m$-position the acidity is increased due to $-I$-effect.