Question:
Why are carboxylic acids more acidic than alcohols or phenols although all of them have a hydrogen atom attached to an oxygen atom (—O—H)?
Solution:
Due to the resonance in carboxylic acids, the negative charge is at the more electronegative oxygen whereas, in alcohols or phenols, the negative charge is on a less
electronegative atom. Thus, carboxylic acids can release proton easier than alcohols or phenols.