Why Carboxylic Acids are more acidic than phenols ?

In case of carboxylic acids the negative charge is on the more electronegative element that is oxygen as shown in the structure in both of the resonating structures. The negative charge on the more electronegative element makes it more stable. And thus it shows acidic character easily.

But in case of phenols the negative charge is shared with the Carbon atom of benzene ring. In most of the resonating structures we can see the negative charge is on carbon atom. As the negative charge is on less electronegative element it makes the molecule less acidic.

Published by ankushmaster

I am M.Sc (chemistry ) from punjabi university. I am a science teacher with expertise in chemistry, with 8 years of experiance in teaching. i am getting a handsome salary , now i wish to help out the people who need me UNCONDITIONALLY. and I am constantly working on creating a new and easy way of learning the tough things in an effective way. I am constantly working to make authentic and reliable information to be shared with my students and widen the horizons of knowledge.

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