Question

An acid is a substance that increases the concentration of H₃O⁺ ions in solution. Look at the reaction below of phenol (C₆H₅OH) with water:

Which reactant acts as an acid by contributing a H⁺ ion to create H₃O⁺ in the chemical equation?
a. C₆H₅OH(aq)
b. H₂O(l)
c. C₆H₅O⁻(aq)
d. H₃O⁺(aq)

Answer 1

a. C₆H₅OH(aq)

Step-by-step explanation:

The reaction of phenol with water is shown below as:-

`C_6H_5OH_((aq))+H_2O_((l))\rightarrow C_6H_5O^-_((aq))+H_3o^+_((aq))`

According to Arrhenius, The specie which furnish protons in solution is known as acid. In the above reaction, phenol,
`C_6H_5OH` acts as an acid by contributing a H⁺ ion to create H₃O⁺ in the chemical equation.

a. C₆H₅OH(aq) is the answer