Ncert Exercises & Solutions

Explain why is OH group in phenols more strongly held as compared to OH group in alcohols?

In phenols, the electron pairs on oxygen atom of — OH group are in conjugation (or resonance) with

π

electrons of the ring and the following resonating structures are possible.

Out of these five resonating structures, II, III and IV structures contain a carbon-oxygen double bond character. In other words, carbon-oxygen bond in phenol acquires a partial double bond character due to resonance.

But in alcohols carbon-oxygen bond in alcohols is purely single bond. Therefore, —OH group in phenols is more strongly held as compared to —OH group in alcohols.

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