NEET 2000 Chemistry question

Which of the following statement is correct for the stability of ions of ethyl alcohol and phenol :

(1)Delocalisation of -electrons in phenoxide ionCorrect
(2)Delocalisation of electrons in ethoxide ion
(3)Inductive effect of ethyl and phenyl group
(4)Localisation of -electrons in phenoxide ion

Answer: (1)

Solution

The phenoxide ion is stabilised by resonance: the negative charge on oxygen is delocalised into the benzene ring through the system (charge appears at the ortho and para carbons), giving several contributing structures. This delocalisation of -electrons makes phenoxide far more stable than the ethoxide ion,

See the full step-by-step solution

Create a free account to read the complete working, and practise questions like this in a timed test.

Create a free account

Question ID VK-088619