Concept:Phenol is weakly acidic (\(K_a \approx 10^{-10}\)). Its acidity falls between that of water and carboxylic acids.
Formula:$$ \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{OH} + \text{NaOH (alkali)} \longrightarrow \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{ONa} + \text{H}_2\text{O} $$
Solution:- Because phenol is acidic, it undergoes a neutralization reaction with strong aqueous bases (alkalies) like NaOH.
- The formation of the ionic salt (sodium phenoxide) makes the organic compound highly water-soluble.
- Thus, it is true that phenol dissolves in alkalies readily.
Why other options are incorrect:A is false (phenol is much more acidic than aliphatic alcohols). B is false (HCl is a strong mineral acid; phenol is very weak). D is false (carboxylic acids have resonance stabilization over two oxygen atoms, making them stronger acids than phenol).
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