The role of aromaticity in the C--O bond length of phenol
The C--O bond in phenol is shorter than the C--O bond in ethanol due to the presence of the aromatic ring in phenol.
In an aromatic compound such as phenol, the electrons in the aromatic ring are delocalized, meaning that they are spread out over the entire ring rather than being concentrated in a single bond. This delocalization of electrons allows the atoms in the aromatic ring to be more stable, resulting in a shorter bond length.
In contrast, the C--O bond in ethanol is a regular covalent bond, with the electrons concentrated in the bond between the carbon and oxygen atoms. As a result, the C--O bond in ethanol is longer than the C--O bond in phenol.
The shorter bond length of the C--O bond in phenol has important implications for the chemical properties of the compound. For example, the shorter bond length allows the oxygen atom in phenol to form stronger hydrogen bonds with other molecules, which contributes to the high solubility of phenol in water.
In summary, the C--O bond in phenol is shorter than the C--O bond in ethanol due to the delocalization of electrons in the aromatic ring of phenol, which results in a more stable and shorter bond. This shorter bond length has important consequences for the chemical properties of the compound.
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