Phenol-featured

Phenol and Reactions of Phenol

 Introduction

Phenol is a type of organic compound. Phenol is a colorless, crystalline, deliquescent solid with a particular phenolic odor having a melting point 41 ° C and a boiling point 182 ° C. It is sparingly soluble in water developing a pink solution at room temperature however completely soluble over 68.5 ° C.

Introduction

It has a mildly sweet scent that could remind you of somewhere that’s sterilized, such as a hospital room. In restricted quantities, it’s readily available for several medical and health-related usages. It is used as a disinfectant in hospitals and washrooms.

Reactions of Phenol

Phenol shows two types of reactions.

  1. Reactions due to– OH group.
  2. Reactions as a result of the benzene ring

Phenols are much less reactive to nucleophiles so nucleophilic attack is less favored, i.e., – OH is hard to change while the electrophilic attack on the ring is easy.

Reactions of Phenol Because Of – OH Group
  • Salt Formation

Phenol reacts with alkalies to create salts, e.g.

Salt-Formation

  • Ester Formation

Phenol reacts with acetyl chloride in the visibility of a base to form the ester.

Ester-Formation

  • Reduction with Zn

Phenol undergoes a reduction reaction when heated up with Zinc dirt and also forms benzene. The hydrogen ion formed accepts electrons from zinc and exchanges hydrogen radicals.

Later the bond in between carbon and oxygen breaks as well as produces phenyl radical, which combines with hydrogen radical to form Benzene.

Reduction-with-Zn

Reactions of Phenol as A Result of Benzene Ring
  • Nitration

Phenols upon treatment with dilute nitric acid go through nitration at low temperature (298 K) to provide a blend of ortho and also para nitrophenols.

When phenol is treated with concentrated nitric acid, the nitration causes the formation of 2, 4, 6-trinitrophenol (commonly called picric acid).

Nitration

  • Sulphonation

Phenol reacts with conc. H2SO4 at standard room temperature level producing ortho as well as para hydroxy benzene sulphonic acids.

Sulphonation

  • Halogenation

When phenols are treated with bromine in the presence of a solvent of reduced polarity like CHCl3 at a lower temperature, monobromophenols are formed. When phenol is treated with bromine water, a white precipitate of 2, 4, 6-tribromophenol is formed.

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Halogenation

  • Hydrogenation

When hydrogen is passed through phenol at 150 ° C in the presence of Ni catalyst it gives cyclohexanol. The discerning hydrogenation of phenol is an attractive process to create cyclohexanol that is an important standard raw chemical in the chemical market and industry.

Phenol is reacted with hydrogen in contact with a nickel catalyst, where the concentration of hydrogen is managed, and/or wherein regulated quantities of water are added in the reaction mixture, to create cyclohexanol, or preferably cyclohexanol plus cyclohexanone.

Hydrogenation

Phenol reacts with formaldehyde (methanal) in the presence of acid or alkali to give hydroxy benzyl alcohol which in more reaction with various other phenol molecules generates a polymer called Bakelite.

Reaction-with-formald

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Phenol and Reactions of Phenol

1. What is phenol, and how is it characterized?Phenol is an organic compound known for its colorless, crystalline structure with a phenolic odor. It has a melting point of 41 °C and a boiling point of 182 °C. It is sparingly soluble in water, forming a pink solution at room temperature.

2. What are the medical and health-related applications of phenol?

In restricted quantities, phenol is utilized for various medical and health-related purposes. It serves as a disinfectant in hospitals and washrooms, owing to its mildly sweet scent.

3. What types of reactions does phenol exhibit?

Phenol demonstrates two main types of reactions: reactions due to the -OH group and reactions as a result of the benzene ring.

4. Can you provide examples of reactions due to the -OH group in phenol?

Certainly, reactions include salt formation with alkalies, ester formation with acetyl chloride, and reduction with zinc.

5. Explain the nitration process in phenols.

When treated with dilute nitric acid at low temperatures, phenols undergo nitration, yielding a mixture of ortho and para nitrophenols. Concentrated nitric acid can lead to the formation of 2, 4, 6-trinitrophenol (picric acid).

6. How does phenol undergo sulphonation?

Phenol reacts with conc. H2SO4 at room temperature, producing ortho and para hydroxy benzene sulphonic acids.

7. What happens when phenol undergoes halogenation?

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Halogenation of phenols, especially with bromine, results in the formation of monobromophenols. Bromine water treatment leads to the formation of 2, 4, 6-tribromophenol.

8. Describe the hydrogenation process involving phenol.

When hydrogen is passed through phenol at 150 °C in the presence of a Ni catalyst, it forms cyclohexanol. This selective hydrogenation is crucial for industrial applications.

9. How does phenol react with formaldehyde, and what is the significance of this reaction?

Phenol reacts with formaldehyde to produce hydroxy benzyl alcohol, leading to the formation of Bakelite, a polymer with various industrial applications.

 

Summary – Phenol and Reactions of Phenol

Introduction: Phenol, a versatile organic compound, is a colorless, crystalline solid with distinct phenolic characteristics, including a melting point of 41°C and a boiling point of 182°C. Its applications extend to medical and health-related uses, such as a disinfectant in hospitals and washrooms.

Reactions of Phenol: Phenol exhibits two primary types of reactions, namely those due to the -OH group and those resulting from the benzene ring. While nucleophilic attacks on the -OH group are less favored, electrophilic attacks on the benzene ring are more facile.

Reactions Due to -OH Group:

  1. Salt Formation: Phenol reacts with alkalies, leading to the creation of salts.
  2. Ester Formation: In the presence of a base, phenol reacts with acetyl chloride to form the corresponding ester.
  3. Reduction with Zn: Heating phenol with zinc dust results in reduction, forming benzene through a series of radical reactions.

Reactions as a Result of Benzene Ring:

  1. Nitration: Treatment with dilute nitric acid at low temperatures induces nitration, yielding a mixture of ortho and para nitrophenols. Concentrated nitric acid leads to the formation of 2, 4, 6-trinitrophenol (picric acid).
  2. Sulphonation: Reaction with concentrated sulfuric acid at room temperature produces ortho and para hydroxy benzene sulphonic acids.
  3. Halogenation: Treatment with bromine in a solvent like CHCl3 at lower temperatures results in monobromophenols. Bromine water treatment leads to the formation of 2, 4, 6-tribromophenol.
  4. Hydrogenation: Passing hydrogen through phenol at 150°C in the presence of a Ni catalyst produces cyclohexanol. This selective hydrogenation is vital for industrial applications.
  5. Reaction with Formaldehyde: Phenol reacts with formaldehyde in the presence of acid or alkali, forming hydroxy benzyl alcohol, a crucial intermediate in the synthesis of the polymer Bakelite.
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This comprehensive overview provides insights into the properties and diverse reactions of phenol, showcasing its significance in various industrial applications.