easechemistry

Phenol is more acidic than cyclohaxanol. Pka value of alcohols is 16-17 while of phenol is 10. Phenol gives a stable conjugate base (phenoxide) after ionization. This stability of phenoxide is due to resonating structures of phenoxide.  Resonating structures of phenoxide. Electrons are delocalized on whole benzene ring make phenoxide a stable conjugate base.  On the other hand alkoxide - conjugate base of non aromatic alcohols- don't have delocalized electrons rather electrons of alkoxide are localized on oxygen atom. These localized electrons rapidly rebond the ionized proton H+.  That's why phenol is more acidic as compare to cyclohaxanol a cyclic alcohol . Remember more pka value means weak acid and vice versa.

The characteristics chemical reactions, an acid shows are: Acid base reactions to produce salt and water. Acid reacts with active metals to produce salt and hydrogen gas. Acid Reaction With Base: Acids have ability to react with base and neutralize it by producing salt and water. phenol fulfills this characteristic chemical reaction of acid. phenol reacts with aqueous solution of strong base NaOH. The products of this chemical reaction are sodium phenoxide (a basic salt) and water. As phenol is a weak acid and sodium hydroxide is strong base hence a basic salt ( sodium phenoxide salt) is produced. WeaK Acid Strong Base Reaction. Phenol reaction with sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium carbonate: Strong acids react with sodiumhydrogen carbonate( NaHCO3) and sodium carbonate( Na2CO3) and produce salt and carbon dioxide (CO2).Phenol being weak acid cannot react with sodiumhydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3) and sodium carbonate( (Na2CO3) to give CO2. So, this proves that phenol is weak acid....