Which of the following is more acidic in nature?
Correct answer: B. Phenol
- A. Benzene
- B. Phenol
- C. Cresol
- D. Aniline
Explanation
Phenol is more acidic than benzene, cresol and aniline because its conjugate base, phenoxide, is resonance-stabilised. The methyl group in cresol slightly increases electron density and reduces acidity, while aniline is a weak base rather than a stronger acid. The likely wrong choice is cresol, since it also contains an -OH group but the methyl group makes it less acidic than phenol.
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About Phenols
Phenols contain a hydroxyl group directly bonded to an aromatic ring, making them more acidic than alcohols because the phenoxide ion is resonance-stabilised. Reactions include ionisation with bases, electrophilic substitution, bromination, nitration and oxidation, with attention to the difference between phenols and aliphatic alcohols.
Practise Alcohols and Phenols
535 free Alcohols and Phenols MCQs from Chemistry, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
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