Give two reactions that show the acidic nature of phenol.Compare acidity of phenol with that of ethanol

Explanation

Acidic nature of phenol is shown by the following reactions:
(á) (i) Reactions with active metals like Na,K.
Mg etc: hydrogen gas is liberated
FIGURE
Reaction with aqueous NaOH : Pheno behaves like a. weak acid neutratizing NaOH - an alkali and forming salt.
FIGURE
(b) Comparison of acidity of, phenol with that of ethanol.
C_2 H_s OH+NaOH rarr No reaction
...