Phenols are acidic in nature. Which of the following statements is incorrect about them?

Phenol liberates carbon dioxide on reaction with sodium bicarbonate.

The correct answer is Option (3) → Phenol liberates carbon dioxide on reaction with sodium bicarbonate.

1. Phenols are soluble in aqueous alkali solution
Phenols react with strong bases such as NaOH to form sodium phenoxide, which is soluble in water.

C₆H₅OH + NaOH → C₆H₅ONa + H₂O Thus, this statement is correct.

2. Phenol liberates hydrogen gas on reaction with sodium metal

Phenols react with active metals like sodium to form sodium phenoxide and hydrogen gas.

2C₆H₅OH + 2Na → 2C₆H₅ONa + H₂

Thus, this statement is correct.

3. Phenol liberates carbon dioxide on reaction with sodium bicarbonate
Only stronger acids such as carboxylic acids can react with sodium bicarbonate to release CO₂.

Since phenol is a weaker acid than carbonic acid, it does not react with NaHCO₃.

Thus, this statement is incorrect.

4. Phenol is less stabilized by resonance than phenoxide ion

The phenoxide ion has greater resonance stabilization because the negative charge is delocalized over the aromatic ring. Thus, this statement is correct.

Hence, OPTION C is incorrect.