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The ionization constant of phenol is higher than that of ethanol because :
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Verified Answer
The correct answer is:
Phenoxide ion is stabilized through delocalization
The acidic nature of phenol is due to the formation of stable phenoxide ion in solution
$$
\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{OH}+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{O}_{\text {Phenoxide ion }}^{-}+\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{O}^{+}
$$
The phenoxide ion is stable due to
resonance.

The negative charge is delocalized in the benzene ring which is a stabilizing factor in the phenoxide ion and increase acidity of phenol. wheras no resonance is possible in alkoxide ions $\left(\mathrm{RO}^{-}\right)$ derived from alcohol. The negative charge is localized on oxygen atom. Thus, alcohols are not acidic.
$$
\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{OH}+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{O}_{\text {Phenoxide ion }}^{-}+\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{O}^{+}
$$
The phenoxide ion is stable due to
resonance.

The negative charge is delocalized in the benzene ring which is a stabilizing factor in the phenoxide ion and increase acidity of phenol. wheras no resonance is possible in alkoxide ions $\left(\mathrm{RO}^{-}\right)$ derived from alcohol. The negative charge is localized on oxygen atom. Thus, alcohols are not acidic.
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