Select the correct order of the relative strength of phenol, alcohol, water, and carboxylic acid
Correct answer: B. Carboxylic acid> phenol > water >alcohol
- A. Carboxylic acid> water> phenol >alcohol
- B. Carboxylic acid> phenol > water >alcohol
- C. Carboxylic acid> alcohol > phenol > water
- D. Carboxylic acid> water> alcohol > phenol
Explanation
The correct order of relative strength is B: Carboxylic acid > phenol > water > alcohol.Carboxylic acids are more acidic than phenols due to the resonance stabilization of the carboxylate anion. Phenols are more acidic than water because the phenoxide ion is stabilized by resonance. Water is less acidic than both carboxylic acids and phenols.
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About Alcohols and Phenols
Alcohols are classified as primary, secondary or tertiary and studied through their hydrogen bonding, acidity, oxidation and reactions with active metals, acids and halogenating agents. Phenols require separate treatment because the hydroxyl group is attached to an aromatic ring, making their acidity and electrophilic substitution different from ordinary alcohols.
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