Question

Why does Phenol not react with Carboxylic Acid?

Answer 1

In organic chemistry, phenols, also known as phenolics, are a type of chemical compound that consists of one or more hydroxyl groups that are directly bonded to an aromatic hydrocarbon group. A carboxylic acid is a type of organic acid that has a carboxyl group attached to an $R$-group. Carboxylic acid has the general formula $R-COOH$ or $R-COH$, where R refers to the alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or another group.

Complete answer:
Carboxylic acids are weaker than mineral acids, but they are the most powerful organic compounds. Carboxylic acid has higher acidity than alcohols and even phenols. The conjugate base of a carboxylic acid, carboxylate ion, is stabilized by two equivalent resonance structures in which the negative charge is effectively delocalized between two more electronegative oxygen atoms.
In the case of phenols, however, negative charge is delocalized less effectively over one oxygen atom and fewer electronegative carbon atoms in the phenoxide ion. As a result, the carboxylate ion is more stable than the phenoxide ion. As a result, carboxylic acids have a higher acidity than phenols.
Carbonates do not react with phenol because it is such a mild acid. Phenol, like other alcohols, can form esters, but it does not react directly with carboxylic acids. Only an acid anhydride or an acyl chloride can react with phenol to form an ester.
The carboxylate ion produced is stabilized by resonance due to efficient delocalization of the negative charge. As a result, the carboxylate ion is more stable than phenoxide ions. Carboxylic acids, on the other hand, are more acidic than phenols.
The sodium bicarbonate test easily distinguishes between phenols and carboxylic acids. Because carboxylic acids are stronger acids than phenols, sodium bicarbonate is a weak base that quickly interacts with carboxylic acids but not with phenols.

Note:
In industry, phenol is used as a raw material in the production of plastics, explosives such as picric acid, and pharmaceuticals such as aspirin. The photographic developer contains the common phenol hydroquinone, which converts exposed silver bromide crystals to black metallic silver. Carboxylic acids and derivatives are used to make polymers, biopolymers, coatings, adhesives, and pharmaceutical drugs. They can also serve as solvents, food additives, antimicrobials, and flavorings.