Question

Why-OH group in ethyl alcohol is neutral while it is acidic in acetic acid? 

(a) Acetate ion shows resonance while ethoxide does not exhibit resonance

(b) Ethyl alcohol molecules get associated 

(c) Acetic acid has much stronger hydrogen bonding

(d) All

Answer 1

(a) Acetate ion shows resonance while ethoxide does not exhibit resonance

Due to resonance, acetate ion is stabilised while there is no such stabilisation factor in ethoxide ion.

\(H_3C-\overset{O\\||}{C}-O^ - \longleftrightarrow H_3C-\overset{O^ -\\|}{C}=O;\,\,H_5C_2-O^ -\)