Although phenoxide ion has more number of resonating structures than carboxylate ion, carboxylic acid is a stronger than phenol. Why ?

Explanation

To understand why carboxylic acids are stronger acids than phenols, despite the phenoxide ion having more resonating structures than the carboxylate ion, we need to analyze the stability of their conjugate bases.

### Step 1: Define the Conjugate Bases
- **Phenol** (C6H5OH) can lose a proton (H+) to form the **phenoxide ion** (C6H5O−).
- **Carboxylic acid** (RCOOH) can lose a proton to form the **carboxylate ion** (RCOO−).

### Step 2: Analyze Resonance Structures
- The **phenoxide ion** has several resonance structures where the negative charge can be delocalized over the carbon atoms of the aromatic ring. However, the negative charge remains primarily on the carbon atom.
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