Answer: tertiary.
- A tertiary
- B secondary
- C primary
- D aromatic
Correct answer: A. tertiary
Explanation: Its hydroxyl-bearing carbon is attached to three other carbons, making it a tertiary alcohol.
The phenoxide ion's negative charge spreads into the aromatic ring through resonance, lowering its energy and making phenol give up its proton more easily; an alkoxide ion (from a plain alcohol) has nowhere to delocalise the charge, making alcohols far less acidic.
Concept context
Oxygen-containing organic compounds. Understand the acidic nature of phenols, reactions of alcohols (dehydration, oxidation, esterification), and properties of ethers. Includes industrial applications and named reactions.