Question:
Explain why the OH group in phenols is more strongly held as compared to OH group in alcohols.
Solution:
The –OH group in phenol is directly attached to the sp2hybridized carbon atom of the benzene ring. The carbon-oxygen bond length in phenol is smaller as compared to
the carbon-oxygen bond length in alkyl alcohol and this is due to the partial double bond character or due to the resonance and charge distribution in phenol.