Explain the acidic nature of phenol.

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.

ii) Phenol react with aq. NaOH and form sodium phenoxide.

`to` phenol hydroxyl group is attached to the `Sp^(2)` hydridised carbon of benzene ring which acts as electron with drawing group. The formed phenoxide ion from phenol is more stabilised due to delocalisation of negative charge.