Because phenol contains a hydroxy, it is referred to as an alcohol, but the presence of the benzene ring takes phenol out of the alcohol class. The reason is that phenol is remarkably stable and is not able to react chemically as an alcohol.

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Phenol is often distinguished from alcohols due to the aromatic ring's influence on its properties, but it is still considered a type of alcohol because it contains a hydroxyl (-OH) group directly bonded to an aromatic ring. The difference in reactivity and properties compared to aliphatic alcohols is due to the resonance stabilization of the phenoxide ion and the influence of the aromatic system, not an inherent inability to react as an alcohol.

Because Phenol Contains a Hydroxy, It Is Referred to as an Alcohol