Answer
When phenol and methanol donates a hydrogen, the molecule turns into an anion, and their structures must be able to stabilize this created negative charged.
Since it has a simple structure, the methanol does not have anything in special that will help stabilizing the negative charge. At the same time, due to its aromatic ring, and effects from ressonance, the phenol structure is able to stabilize the negative charge in a more efficient way.
Having a more stabilized conjugate base on phenol favors ionization. Therefore, we can conclude that phenol is theoretically a stronger acid.
Work Step by Step
When phenol and methanol donates a hydrogen, the molecule turns into an anion, and their structures must be able to stabilize this created negative charged.
Since it has a simple structure, the methanol does not have anything in special that will help stabilizing the negative charge. At the same time, due to its aromatic ring, and effects from ressonance, the phenol structure is able to stabilize the negative charge in a more efficient way.
Having a more stabilized conjugate base on phenol favors ionization. Therefore, we can conclude that phenol is theoretically a stronger acid.
