Difference Between Alcohols and Phenols

Alcohols

1. Alcohols do not have any effect on litmus paper. They are neutral

2. Alcohols have no action with bromine water

3. Develop no characteristic colour with neutral FeCl₃ Solution

4. They cannot show coupling reaction with arene diazonium salt

5. They do not react with NaOH

Phenols

1. Phenols change blue litmus red. They are acidic.

2. Phenols give white precipitate with bromine water

3. Develop characteristic colours(red, violet, green etc) with neutral FeCl₃ solution

4. They form azo-dyes by coupling with arene diazonium salts

5. They react with NaOH to form phenoxides