Ethanol CH3CH2OH is not considered an acid or base, even though there is an H+ and two lone pairs on the oxygen atom. What atoms could be changed on this molecule other than the OH to create a compound that would be more acidic? (Hint: there are many correct answers)

Molecules that are more acidic than ethanol by replacing atoms other that OH.

1. CF₃CH₂OH
2. CHF₂CH₂OH
3. CH₂FCH₂OH
4. CCl₃CH₂OH
5. CHCl₂CH₂OH

Higher the stability of conjugate base higher is the acidity. the conjugate base of ethanol is the weakest because the + I effect of the ethyl group increases electron density upon oxygen atom which is already having an extra electron thus destabilizing it the most.

-I effect on the resonance hybrid group stabilizing it by withdrawing electron density due to higher electronegativity of hybridised carbon. here atoms F, Cl have high -I effect which makes these compounds are more acidic then ethanol.