Explain the acidic nature of phenols and compare with that of alcohols.

Explanation

The reaction of phenol with sodium metal and with aq. NaOH indicates the acidic nature of phenol.
i) Phenol reacts with sodium metal to form sodium phenoxide.

`to` In phenol hydroxyl group is attached to the `Sp^(2)` hydridised carbon of benzene ring which acts as electron with drawing group.
Comparison of acidic character of Phenol and Ethanol :
`to` The reaction of phenol with aq. NaOH indicates that phenols are stronger acids than alcohols.
`to` The hydroxyl group attached to an aromatic ring is more acidic than in hydroxyl group is attached to an alkyl group. `to` Phenol forms stable phenoxide ion stabilised by resonance but ethoxide ion is not.