question_answer

Compare the relative acidic strengths of the following : (i) \[C{{H}_{3}}OH\]                                        (ii)\[C{{H}_{3}}C{{H}_{2}}OH\]    (iii)\[C{{H}_{3}}CH(OH)C{{H}_{3}}\]          (iv)\[{{(C{{H}_{3}})}_{3}}COH.\]

Answer:

                The relative acidic strengths of the alcohols in an increasing order is : \[{{(C{{H}_{3}})}_{3}}COH<C{{H}_{3}}CH(OH)C{{H}_{3}}\]\[<C{{H}_{3}}C{{H}_{2}}OH<C{{H}_{3}}OH\] The acidic strength of the alcohol is due to the cleavage of O?H bond. Thus, greater the number of alkyl groups present or more the size of such groups, difficult will be the bond cleavage and, thus, lesser will be the acidic strength.