Question

What is the functional group of alcohol and phenol?
A) $$-OH$$ Phenol and

alcohol
B)

Phenol and $$-OH$$ alcohol
C) $$-OH$$ Alcohol and $$-COOH$$ Phenol
D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: The general formula of alcohol is $$C_n{H}_{2n+1}OH$$. Alcohol and phenol is the two organic compounds containing the hydroxyl group i.e. $$-OH$$ in common.
We have to know that alcohol is an organic compound which has at least one hydroxyl group which is attached to the saturated carbon atom chain.

Complete step by step answer:
We have to remember that the nomenclature for writing the name of alcohol is Suffix “ol” is used when hydroxyl group is present as a higher priority in any compound whereas Prefix “hydroxy” is used when other groups are present as higher priority than alcohol.
Examples of alcohol:
$$C_2{H}_{5}OH$$- Ethanol
Phenol is an aromatic organic compound that contains hydroxyl group which is attached to a benzene ring therefore the functional group is $$-C_6{H}_{5}OH$$or

Image created in chemdraw by SME.
Phenol is a weak acid that has pH of $$8-12$$ , there is resonance stabilization in phenol due to which it is more acidic than aliphatic alcohols.
Option A) this is an incorrect option as $$-OH$$ is a functional group of alcohol and

is the functional group of phenol.
Option B) This is a correct option as the two represent phenol and alcohol in the correct way.
Option C) this is an incorrect option as $$-OH$$ is a functional group of alcohol but $$-COOH$$ is a functional group of carboxylic acid and not phenol.
Option D) this is an incorrect option as we get option B as the correct option.

Hence, the correct option is, ‘Option B’.

Note: We need to know that an alcohol is an aliphatic organic compound whereas Phenol is an aromatic organic compound. Phenols have generally higher acidity than alcohols.