Phenol is more acidic than ethanol because:
- Phenol has a stronger O-H bond than ethanol always
- The phenoxide ion is stabilised by aromatic resonance
- Ethanol is fully covalent while phenol is ionic in nature
- Phenol is heavier so it dissociates more in water always
Show answer and solution
Correct answer: B. The phenoxide ion is stabilised by aromatic resonance
Phenoxide ion's negative charge is delocalised into the benzene ring, stabilising it
phenol's $pK_a \approx 10$, ethanol's $\approx 16$.