**Phenol is more acidic than ethanol** because:
APhenol has more carbon atoms
BPhenoxide anion is resonance-stabilised by the aromatic ring
CEthanol has higher molecular weight
DPhenol is a base
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Phenoxide anion is resonance-stabilised by the aromatic ring
After loss of H⁺, phenoxide (PhO⁻) delocalises negative charge into the ring (ortho/para positions) via resonance ⇒ very stable. Ethoxide (CH₃CH₂O⁻) has no such stabilisation. pKa: phenol ~10, ethanol ~16. Phenol is ~6 orders of magnitude more acidic.
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