Question

Which one of the following alcohols is the strongest acid?

Options

• Phenol

• Methanol

• Ethanol

• t-butyl alcohol

Answer 1

Phenol

Explanation:

Phenol is the most potent acid owing to the resonance stabilization of the phenoxide ion (C₆H₅O⁻). Upon the deprotonation of phenol, the negative charge on the oxygen atom is delocalized across the aromatic ring via resonance, enhancing its stability and elevating its acidity.