Answer to Question #167457 in General Chemistry for kali

Question

Phenol, C6H5OH, has a Ka of 1.3×10−10.

1.Write out the Ka reaction for phenol.

2. Calculate Kb for phenol’s conjugate base.

3.Is phenol a stronger or weaker acid than water? explain why.

Answer 1

1. Ka=[H⁺]•[C₆H₅O^-]/[C₆H₅OH]

2. Kb=10^-14/Ka=10^-14/1.3•10^-10= 7.7•10^-5

3. From the table data it is known that Ka of water is 1.8•10^-15, so Ka of phenol is bigger, and phenol is a stronger acid than water.