Answer:
Phenols do not exhibit the same pka values as other alcohols;
They are generally more acidic.
Using the knowledge that hydrogen acidity is directly related to the stability of the anion formed, explain why phenol is more acidic than cyclohexane.
Explanation:
According to Bromsted=Lowry acid-base theory,
an acid is a substance that can release [tex]H^{+}[/tex] ions when dissolved in water.
So, acid is a proton donor.
If the conjugate base of an acid is more stable then, that acid is a strong acid.
In the case of phenol,
the phenoxide ion formed is stabilized by resonance.
[tex]C_6H_5OH -> C_6H_5O^- +H^+[/tex]
The resonance in phenoxide ion is shown below:
Whereas in the case of cyclohexanol resonance is not possible.
So, cyclohexanol is a weak acid compared to phenol.
