How come there is such a huge difference when looking at the pKa values between these 3 compounds.
Benzoic acid: 4.2
Benzamide: 23.35
Phenol: 9-10
My answer to this and please correct me if wrong
Benzoic acid has a hydroxyl group attached to a powerfully electron withdrawing carbonyl group. This weakens the O-H bond and gives an acid which makes it more acidic than H2O.
Phenol, the OH is bonded to a less powerful phenyl ring. We get an acid, but weaker than the first case.
Benzamide ... Don't know really here...