This increases the polarity of O–H bond and results
in an increase in ionisation of phenols than that of alcohols Now let us examine the stabilities of alkoxide and phenoxide
ions In alkoxide ion, the negative charge is localised on oxygen
while in phenoxide ion, the charge is delocalised The delocalisation of negative charge (structures I-V) makes
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Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers
phenoxide ion more stable and favours the ionisation of phenol