Phenol's acidic because its phenoxide ion gets resonance stabilization, spreading the negative charge yaar, while ethanol's ethoxide ion has no such thing. Electron-withdrawing groups on the ring make phenol even more acidic by further stabilizing the charge. This I know because I'm cramming mechanisms for NEET right now, but honestly, the only 'stability' I truly understand is the peace of that one quiet hour with my chai and my radios, before the shop's uncertainties begin.
#exams#study
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