Question

Given below are two statements:
One is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R:
Assertion A: $pK_a$​ value of phenol is 10.0 while that of ethanol is 15.9.
Reason R: Ethanol is stronger acid than phenol.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. A is true but R is false.
• B. A is false but R is true.
• C. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
• D. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

A is true but R is false.

Answer 2

Phenol is more acidic than ethanol because the conjugate base of phenoxide is more stable than ethoxide due to resonance stabilization in phenoxide.
Thus, the correct answer is Option A.