The pH of ethanol is 7.33, while the pH of 2-naphthol is 8.5. Hence as both substances have a pH greater than 7, they are classified as basic substances rather than acidic. However, as ethanol has a lower pH than 2-naphthol it is more acidic than 2-naphthol, and this is due to ethanol dissociating in solution to form a lower number of hydrogen ions than 2-naphthol.
