(a) Why phenol is more acidic than than ethanol ?
(b) Write the mechanism of acid dhydration of ethanol to tield ether:
`2CH_(3)CH_(2)OHunderset(413K)overset(H^(+))toCH_(3)CH_(2)OCH_(2)CH_(3)`

Explanation

(a)
Due to resonance, the oxygen atom acquires a partial positive charge. This weaknes the O-H bond an thus facilitate the release of a proton. Conversely, +I effect of ethyl group increase electron density which make O-H bond cleavage difficullt. Hence ethanol less acidic than phenol.
(b) `2CH_(3)CH_(2)OHunderset(413K)overset(H^(+))toCH_(3)CH_(2)OCH_(2)CH_(3)`
Mechanism:
(i) Protonation

(ii) Nucleophilic attack