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CAIE A-Level Chemistry 32.2.3 Acidity of phenol

Practise explaining phenol as a weak acid through neutralisation equations and comparisons with more acidic organic compounds.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Chemistry 9701
Level
A2

Exam points

  • write neutralisation equations forming sodium phenoxide and water from phenol
  • explain weaker acidity by comparing phenoxide stability with a carboxylate ion

32.2.3—Acidity of phenol question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

Compounds F and J are shown in Fig. 4.1.

Fig. 4.1

Fig. 4.1

K can also be synthesised from phenol, C6H5OH\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{OH}.

Fig. 4.4 shows several reactions of phenol.

Fig. 4.4

Fig. 4.4

Explain why phenol is a weaker acid than K.

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