Compare the two protons H₁ and H₂ shown in the following compound and identify which proton is more acidic.

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Removing H₁ puts the negative charge on carbon : structure

Removing H₂ puts the negative charge on oxygen : structure

Carbon and oxygen are in the same period, so compare electronegativity : oxygen stabilises the negative charge far better than carbon does. The alkoxide is the more stable conjugate base, so the O-H proton H₂ is more acidic.

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