Both ethanol and ethanoic acid exhibit acidic properties, the former is more acidic than the latter

Question

Focus on the ground state and conjugate base state and explain why ethanoic acid is stronger acid than ethanol

Answer 1

When ethanol reacts with a base, the (-)-charge is concentrated on the O. This means that it is capable of pulling the H+ back from the base (conjugate aqcid):

CH3CH2-OH + :B ===> CH3CH2-O(-) + BH(+)

With ethanoic (acetic) acid, the (-) charge is distributed by resonance over two O's, so the intensity of the charge on each is half as much:

CH3-COOH + :B ===> CH3-COO(-) + BH(+)

O=C-O(-) <===> (-)O-C=O

(You should imagine CH3- also connected to that middle carbon. I can't fit it in.)