Problem: Phenols do not exhibit the same pKa values as other alcohols; they are generally more acidic. Using the knowledge that hydrogen acidity is directly related to the stability of the anion for (conjugate base), explain why phenol is much more acidic than cyclohexanol.
FREE Expert Solution
The structures of phenol and cyclohexanol are shown below:
Problem Details
Phenols do not exhibit the same pKa values as other alcohols; they are generally more acidic. Using the knowledge that hydrogen acidity is directly related to the stability of the anion for (conjugate base), explain why phenol is much more acidic than cyclohexanol.
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