Phenol is more acidic than ethyl alcohol because:

Options

A. Phenoxide ion is more resonance stabilized than alcohol
B. There is more hydrogen bonding in phenol than ethyl alcohol
C. Ethoxide ion is less resonance stabilized than ethyl alcohol
D. Phenol has higher boiling point than ethyl alcohol

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Acidity**: Acidity is defined by the ability of a compound to donate protons (H⁺ ions). The stronger the acid, the more readily it donates protons.

2. **Identifying the Compounds**: We are comparing phenol (C₆H₅OH) and ethyl alcohol (C₂H₅OH). Both contain a hydroxyl group (-OH) which can donate a proton.

3. **Formation of Conjugate Bases**:
- When phenol donates a proton, it forms the phenoxide ion (C₆H₅O⁻).
- When ethyl alcohol donates a proton, it forms the ethoxide ion (C₂H₅O⁻).

4. **Stability of Conjugate Bases**:
- The stability of the conjugate base is crucial in determining the strength of the acid. A more stable conjugate base corresponds to a stronger acid.
- The phenoxide ion can stabilize the negative charge through resonance with the benzene ring. This means that the negative charge can be delocalized over the aromatic system, leading to multiple resonance structures.
- In contrast, the ethoxide ion does not have such resonance stabilization. The negative charge is localized on the oxygen atom and cannot be delocalized.

5. **Conclusion on Acidity**: Since the phenoxide ion is more resonance stabilized than the ethoxide ion, phenol is more acidic than ethyl alcohol.

6. **Answering the Question**: The correct reason why phenol is more acidic than ethyl alcohol is that "phenoxide ion is more resonance stabilized than ethoxide ion."

**Final Answer**: Phenol is more acidic than ethyl alcohol because the phenoxide ion is more resonance stabilized than the ethoxide ion.

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