Chemistry - GOC Question with Solution | TestHub

The acidic nature of phenol is due to the formation of stable phenoxide ion in solution $${\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\rightleftharpoons {\mathrm{C}}_6{\mathrm{H}}_5{\mathrm{O}}_{\text{Phenoxide ion }}^{-}+{\mathrm{H}}_3{\mathrm{O}}^{+}$$ The phenoxide ion is stable due to resonance.
The negative charge is delocalized in the benzene ring which is a stabilizing factor in the phenoxide ion and increase acidity of phenol. wheras no resonance is possible in alkoxide ions $\left({\mathrm{RO}}^{-}\right)$ derived from alcohol. The negative charge is localized on oxygen atom. Thus, alcohols are not acidic.