Alcohol acidity

[Lionroar]

Hi, this is general question about alcohols. Why are primary alcohols more acidic than secondary and tertiary alcohols? Thank you.

[NS_Tutor_Andrew]

Hi Lionroar,

In general, for questions like this, you always want to look at the stability of the conjugate base, because a highly stable conjugate base = a stronger acid. Alkyl groups are electron-donating, so they will tend to destabilize the negatively charged alkoxide ion. Additionally, steric considerations are relevant -- the alkoxide ion could be stabilized by interactions with the solvent, but this is made more difficult the more bulky substituents there are that get in the way.

Hope this helps!!