2-chloroethanol, Alcohols are acidic in nature due to the presence of one or more polar groups, i.e., -OH group.

Out of 2-chloroethanol and ethanol, 2-chloroethanol is more acidic because of the presence of an electron withdrawing group, Chlorine atom. The presence of the electron withdrawing group results in negative inductive effect and thus, the electron density in the –O-H bond decreases. It stabilizes the alkoxide ion and therefore, 2-chloroethanol can easily release a proton.