Q. Assertion : Phenol is a weaker acid than ethanol.
Reason : Groups with effect and effect decrease acidity at -position.

 2479  181 AIIMSAIIMS 2002Alcohols Phenols and Ethers Report Error

Solution:

Phenol is a stronger acid than the ethanol. This is due to the resonance stabilisaton of the phenolate ion which is produced after deprotonation.

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But there is no such stabilisation in the case of ethanol



The groups with and effect decrease the acidity at pposition, but at m-position the acidity is increased due to -effect.