Alcohols undergo a number of reactions involving the cleavage of C – OH bond. However, phenols do not undergo reactions involving the cleavage of C – OH bond. Alcohols are weaker acids than water. Alcohols react with halogen acids to form the corresponding haloalkanes. Phenols are stronger acids than alcohols. A characteristic feature of phenols is that they undergo electrophilic substitution reactions such as halogenation, nitration, etc. Since – OH group is a strong activating group, phenol gives trisubstituted products during halogenation, nitration, etc.

Acidic Character of Alcohols, Reaction of Alcohols with Hydrogen Halides, Electrophilic Substitution Reactions of Phenols

Acidic Character of Alcohols, Reaction of Alcohols with Hydrogen Halides, Electrophilic Substitution Reactions of Phenols | PadhAiPro