Question

Which of the following statement is correct for the stability of ions of ethyl alcohol and phenol:

• A. Delocalisation of $\pi$-electrons in phenoxide ion
• B. Delocalisation of electrons in ethoxide ion
• C. Inductive effect of ethyl and phenyl group
• D. Localisation of $\pi$-electrons in phenoxide ion

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Delocalisation of $\pi$-electrons in phenoxide ion

Answer 2

In phenol, the presence of a benzene ring with its pi electrons allows for delocalization of the lone pair of electrons on the oxygen atom. This delocalization or resonance stabilization makes the phenoxide ion more stable.
In contrast, the ethoxide ion does not have the same level of delocalization as in the phenoxide ion. While it has inductive effects from the ethyl group, it does not exhibit the same extent of resonance stabilization through pi-electron delocalization as seen in phenol.

So, the correct option is (A): Delocalisation of $\pi$-electrons in phenoxide ion