phenol has a large tendency to lose its H+
this because the phenolate ion (or phenoxide) is resonance stabilized. the lone pair of electrons on the O due to the heterolytic cleavage is delocalized over the whole ring. it can travel from O to C, from C to another C and another and another.
phenol is quite a strong acid.
as for benzene, i don't know where you get the idea of it being electropositive, as this is a property suitable for metals..
if you're talking about electrophilic and nucleophilic...
benzene is nucleophilic because it tends to attract electrophiles.
stated in other words, benzene has electron rich conjugated double bonds. and these electron rich regions attract electrophiles, species that lacks electrons, e.g. H+, in general lewis acids.
well, that's about it... i can discuss further if you want.. fell free to ask questions
edit: sorry for mis-info above. yeah, it's quite weak..
i got confused with it.. due to our most recent experiment, and the word "stronger" stuck in my mind, but i forgot the "than alcohol" part.. anyways..
my apologies..
Source(s):
chemical engineering major, minor in chem student,
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