What Makes an Acid the Strongest?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the factors that contribute to the strength of acids, specifically comparing the acidity of phenols and alcohols, and the influence of electron withdrawing groups on acidity. The scope includes conceptual understanding and exploratory reasoning regarding acid strength.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether phenols are more or less acidic than alcohols, indicating a comparison between these two classes of compounds.
  • Another participant mentions a specific phenol with an electron withdrawing group and asks about the effect of such groups on acidity, suggesting a link between molecular structure and acid strength.
  • A later reply suggests that stronger acids facilitate the easier removal of protons (H+), implying a relationship between acid strength and proton dissociation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the acidity of phenols compared to alcohols, and the effects of electron withdrawing groups on acidity remain contested.

Contextual Notes

The discussion lacks definitive conclusions regarding the comparative acidity of phenols and alcohols, and the role of electron withdrawing groups is not fully resolved.

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So, you have a benzylic alcohol and two phenols. Are phenols more or less acidic than alcohols? One of the phenols has an electron withdrawing group para to the OH. Do electron withdrawing groups increase or decrease acidity?
 
More acidic?
 
the stronger the acid, the easier it will be to remove a proton(H+) from it.
 

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