Why are phenols more acidic

OH, is attached to a saturated carbon atom which has two other carbon atoms attached to it. Phenol is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula C 6 H 5 OH.

It is a white crystalline solid that is volatile. Names Boiling point Reactive with various chemicals and may be corrosive to lead, aluminum and its alloys, certain plastics, and rubber. Used to make plastics, adhesives and other chemicals. Phenol is an organic hydroxy compound that consists of benzene bearing a single hydroxy substituent. A primary alcohol is an alcohol which has the hydroxyl group connected to a primary carbon atom.

In chemistry, an ester is a chemical compound derived from an acid organic or inorganic in which at least one — OH hydroxyl group is replaced by an —O—alkyl alkoxy group. Usually, esters are derived from a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. Definition of phenolic Entry 2 of 2 1 : a usually thermosetting resin or plastic made by condensation of a phenol with an aldehyde and used especially for molding and insulating and in coatings and adhesives.

In organic chemistry , phenols , sometimes called phenolics, are a class of chemical compounds consisting of a hydroxyl group —OH bonded directly to an aromatic hydrocarbon group. The simplest of the class is phenol , C. Phenols are less acidic than carboxylic acids and do not react with NaHCO3 to form water-soluble salts. Why are phenols more acidic than alcohols? Category: science chemistry. Phenol is more acidic than alcohols due to stabilisation of phenoxide ion through resonance.

Therefore, even though any carbon is still more electropositive than oxygen, the phenolic oxygen will be able to draw the electrons towards it less effectively and therefore has a lower electron density than in ethanol. It combats that by pulling more from the other side. Sign up to join this community. The best answers are voted up and rise to the top. Stack Overflow for Teams — Collaborate and share knowledge with a private group.

Create a free Team What is Teams? Learn more. What is the reason for the acidic character in phenols? Ask Question. Asked 6 years, 2 months ago. Active 5 years, 4 months ago. Viewed 5k times. My concepts seem to be flawed, and hence I have few questions on the same.

Improve this question. Indo Ubt Indo Ubt 5 5 silver badges 10 10 bronze badges. You can recognise phenol because:. It reacts with sodium hydroxide solution to give a colourless solution and therefore must be acidic.

It doesn't produce carbon dioxide with sodium carbonate or hydrogencarbonate solutions and so must be only very weakly acidic. Acids react with the more reactive metals to give hydrogen gas. Phenol is no exception - the only difference is the slow reaction because phenol is such a weak acid.

Phenol is warmed in a dry tube until it is molten, and a small piece of sodium added. There is some fizzing as hydrogen gas is given off. The mixture left in the tube will contain sodium phenoxide. Under no circumstances should you try this without professional supervision, and good access to medical help. The risks involved in careless handling of the hot phenol and sodium are too great. If this is the first set of questions you have done, please read the introductory page before you start.

Why is phenol acidic? For example, in solution in water: Phenol is a very weak acid and the position of equilibrium lies well to the left. That's why phenol is only a very weak acid. Properties of phenol as an acid With indicators The pH of a typical dilute solution of phenol in water is likely to be around 5 - 6 depending on its concentration.

With sodium hydroxide solution Phenol reacts with sodium hydroxide solution to give a colourless solution containing sodium phenoxide. With sodium carbonate or sodium hydrogencarbonate Unlike the majority of acids, phenol doesn't give carbon dioxide when you mix it with sodium carbonate or sodium hydrogencarbonate solutions.