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How does a phenol differ from an alcohol?

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structural formulas of some organic compounds — organic compound The structures of organic compounds can be depicted in condensed, expanded, and three-dimensional structural formulas.

The primary difference between an alcohol and a phenol lies in the structure to which the hydroxyl group (―OH) is attached:

Alcohols: These are organic compounds in which a hydroxyl group is bonded to a carbon atom of an alkyl group (a hydrocarbon chain).12
Phenols: These result when a hydroxyl group is joined directly to an aryl (aromatic) ring.13

While both classes share similarities due to the presence of the polar hydroxyl group—such as the ability to participate in hydrogen bonding—they exhibit distinct chemical behaviors. The most notable difference is that phenols are significantly more acidic than aliphatic alcohols. Because of this enhanced acidity, most phenols can be completely deprotonated by sodium hydroxide, a reaction that does not occur with simple alcohols. Additionally, while phenols often form stronger hydrogen bonds than alcohols, their fundamental reactivity remains linked to the polar nature of the oxygen-hydrogen bond shared by both groups.145