Phenol is weakly acidic and can be deprotonated in basic solutions compared to cyclohexanol. The pK_a of phenol is 10, while the pK_a of cyclohexanol is 16. Explain why the pK_a of phenol is lower than the pK_a of cyclohexanol.

• A. Phenol has a lower pK_a than cyclohexanol because it is a weaker acid.
• B. Phenol has a lower pK_a than cyclohexanol because it has a more stable conjugate base.
• C. Phenol has a lower pK_a than cyclohexanol because its conjugate base is also an acid.
• D. Phenol has a lower pK_a than cyclohexanol because it can easily give up another proton.

Answer: (B)