# Phenol is a compound that shares some properties with alcohols but also has distinctive chemical properties of its own. Describe the reaction of phenol with sodium hydroxide solution and explain how this reaction shows that phenol is more acidic than a typical alcohol such as ethanol.

> WJEC A-Level Chemistry (Wales) — 4.3 Alcohols and phenols · Describe · 5 marks

> Phenol (C₆H₅OH) is widely used as an antiseptic and as a starting material in the manufacture of plastics. Unlike ethanol, phenol reacts readily with sodium hydroxide solution.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Phenol reacts with sodium hydroxide solution to form sodium phenoxide (sodium phenate) and water
2. This reaction shows phenol is acidic / behaves as an acid because it donates a proton (H⁺) to the hydroxide ion / neutralises a base
3. Ethanol does NOT react with sodium hydroxide solution
4. Both ethanol and phenol react with sodium metal to produce hydrogen gas, but only phenol reacts with sodium hydroxide, showing phenol is the more acidic of the two
5. Phenol is a weak acid / it is less acidic than a typical mineral acid such as hydrochloric acid and does not react with carbonates

## Key terms

- [phenol](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/phenol)
- [acidic](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/acidic)
- [sodium hydroxide](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/sodium-hydroxide)
- [ethanol](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/ethanol)

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC A-Level Chemistry (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/phenol-is-a-compound-that-shares-9f75d851) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.