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🧪 Chemistry  ·  Alcohols, Phenols & Ethers  ·  NEET & JEE

Which alcohol is used as antifreeze?

Answer: Ethylene glycol.

  • A Methanol
  • B Ethanol
  • C Ethylene glycol
  • D Phenol

Correct answer: C. Ethylene glycol

Explanation: Ethylene glycol is widely used as antifreeze in automobile radiators.

Why Phenol Is More Acidic Than an AlcoholO⁻phenoxide ioncharge delocalised into ring (resonance)stabilisedCO⁻alkoxide ion (ethanol)charge stuck on one O, NOT stabilised

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.

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