What is the Difference Between Benzene and Phenol?

Benzene and phenol are both aromatic compounds, but they have some key differences in their structure, properties, and reactivity. Here are the main differences between benzene and phenol:

1. Structure: Benzene has a molecular formula of $$C6H6$$, while phenol has a molecular formula of $$C6H6OH$$. Phenol has a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the benzene ring, which makes it more polar and acidic than benzene.
2. Physical State: Benzene is a colorless liquid with a sweet odor, while phenol is a white crystalline solid. The difference in state is due to the hydroxyl group in phenol, which allows for hydrogen bonding and makes it a solid at room temperature.
3. Solubility: Phenol is more soluble in water than benzene due to the presence of the hydroxyl group, which allows it to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.
4. Acidity: Phenol is acidic in nature, while benzene is not. The acidity of phenol is due to the hydrogen atom donation that forms a phenoxide ion, which is stable due to the aromaticity of the benzene ring.
5. Reactivity: Phenol is more reactive than benzene because of the hydroxyl group's ability to participate in chemical reactions more readily than the hydrogen atoms in benzene.
6. Evaporation: Benzene evaporates faster than phenol due to its lower intermolecular forces and less polar nature.

Comparative Table: Benzene vs Phenol

Here is a table comparing the differences between benzene and phenol:

Both benzene and phenol are aromatic compounds, but they have distinct differences. Benzene has a molecular formula of C₆H₆ and is neutral in nature, while phenol has a molecular formula of C₆H₆OH and is acidic in nature due to the presence of a hydroxyl functional group. Phenol has a stronger odor and is more polar than benzene, making it more soluble in water and slower to evaporate. The hydroxyl group also makes phenol more reactive in chemical reactions compared to benzene.