Question 1

Explain why phenols are more acidic than alcohols.

Accepted Answer

Phenols are considerably more acidic than aliphatic alcohols because of the resonance stabilization of the phenoxide ion formed after the loss of a proton. When phenol loses a proton, the resulting phenoxide ion has its negative charge delocalized over the entire aromatic ring through resonance, whi

Question 2

Write the chemical equation for the preparation of phenol from Cumene.

Accepted Answer

Phenol is industrially prepared by the air oxidation of cumene (isopropylbenzene) in the presence of a cobalt catalyst, which leads to the formation of cumene hydroperoxide. Subsequent acid-catalyzed cleavage of this hydroperoxide yields phenol along with acetone as a valuable byproduct. The chemica

Question 3

How is Kolbe's reaction used to prepare salicylic acid from phenol?

Accepted Answer

In Kolbe's reaction, sodium phenoxide, obtained by treating phenol with sodium hydroxide, is reacted with carbon dioxide, which acts as a weak electrophile, under a pressure of about 4-7 atmospheres at 400 K, followed by acid hydrolysis. This carboxylation process introduces a carboxylic acid group

Question 4

How can you distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols using Lucas reagent?

Accepted Answer

Lucas reagent, which is an anhydrous mixture of concentrated hydrochloric acid and zinc chloride, is effectively used to distinguish between the three classes of alcohols based on their differing reactivity rates toward nucleophilic substitution. Tertiary alcohols react immediately with Lucas reagen

Question 5

What is Williamson ether synthesis? Give one example.

Accepted Answer

Williamson ether synthesis is an important laboratory method used for the preparation of symmetrical and unsymmetrical ethers. The reaction involves the nucleophilic substitution of an alkyl halide by an alkoxide ion. For example, the reaction of sodium ethoxide with bromoethane yields diethyl ether

Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers