NCERT Exemplar Problems Class 12 Chemistry Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers

NCERT Exemplar Problems Class 12 Chemistry Chapter 11 Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers 

Multiple Choice Questions

Single Correct Answer Type
Question 1. Monochlorination of toluene in sunlight followed by hydrolysis with aq. NaOH yields.
(a) o-Cresol    (b) w-Cresol
(c) 2, 4-Dihydroxytoluene    (d) Benzyl alcohol
Solution: (d) Monochlorination of toluene in sunlight gives benzyl chloride. On hydrolysis with aq. NaOH, benzyl chloride shows nucleophilic substitution reaction to give benzyl alcohol.

Question 2. How many alcohols with molecular formula C₄H₁₀O are chiral in nature?
(a) 1   (b) 2   (c) 3   (d) 4
Solution: (a) Only one alcohol contains chiral carbon atom.

Question 3. What is the correct order of reactivity of alcohols in the following reaction?

Solution: (c) The given reaction is nucleophilic substitution reaction in which -OH group is replaced by -Cl. Tertiary alcohols, when react with HCl in presence of ZnCl₂, form tertiary carbocation.
This intermediate 3° carbocation is more stable than 2° carbocation as well as 1° carbocation. The higher the stability of intermediate, the higher will be the reactivity of reactant molecule.
So, the order of reactivity of alcohols in the given reaction is 3° > 2° > 1°.

Question 4. CH₃CH₂OH can be converted into CH₃CHO by .
(a) catalytic hydrogenation
(b) treatment with LiAlH₄
(c) treatment with pyridinium chlorochromate
(d) treatment with KMnO₄
Solution: (c) Alcohols are oxidized to aldehydes and finally to acids.

Question 5. The process of converting alkyl halides into alcohols involves .
(a) addition reaction (b) substitution reaction
(c) dehydrohalogenation reaction (d) rearrangement reaction
Solution: (b) Conversion of alkyl halides into alcohols involves substitution reaction.

Question 6. Which of the following compounds are/is aromatic alcohol? 

Solution: (c) Compound (A) i.e., phenol and compound (D) i.e., a derivative of phenol cannot be considered as aromatic alcohol. As phenol is also known as, carbolic acid cannot be considered as aromatic alcohol.
Compound (B) and (C), -OH group is bonded to sp³ hybridised carbon which in turn is bonded to benzene ring.

Question 7. Give IUPAC name of the compound given below.
<
Solution: (c)

Question 8. IUPAC name of m-cresol is .
(a) 3-methylphenol   (b) 3-chlorophenol
(c) 3-methoxyphenol   (d) benzene- 1,3-diol
Solution:

Question 9. IUPAC name of the compound

Solution:

Question 10. Which of the following species can act as the strongest base?

Solution: (b) Weakest acid has the strongest conjugate base. Since R-OH is the weakest acid, therefore, RO is the strongest base.

Question 11. Which of the following compounds will react with sodium hydroxide solution in water?
(a) C₆H₅OH (b) C₆H₅CH₂OH (C) (CH₃)₃COH (d) C₂H₅OH
Solution: (a) Phenol being more acidic reacts with sodium hydroxide solution in water to give sodium phenoxide which is resonance stabilized.
Alcohols are very weak acids.
C₆H₅OH + NaOH -> C₆H₅ONa + H₂O

Question 12. Phenol is less acidic than .
(a) ethanol (b) o-nitrophenol
(c) o-methylphenol (d) o-methoxyphenol
Solution: (b) In o-nitrophenol, nitro group is present at ortho position. Presence of electron withdrawing group at ortho position increases the acidic strength. On the other hand, in o-methylphenol and in o-methoxyphenol and in o-methoxyphenol, electron releasing group (-CH₃-OCH₃)
Presence of these groups at ortho or para positions of phenol decreases the acidic strength of phenols. So, phenol is less acidic than o-nitrophenol.

Question 13. Which of the following is most acidic?
(a) Benzyl alcohol (b) Cyclohexanol
(c) Phenol (d) m-Chlorophenol
Solution: (d) Alcohols are less acidic than phenol. Further electron withdrawing group (like – Cl) increases the acidity of phenol, therefore, m-chlorophenol is most

Question 14. Mark the correct order of decreasing acid strength of the following

Solution:

-NO₂ is an electron withdrawing group which increases the acidity of phenol and the effect is more pronounced at ortho and para positions. Similarly methoxy group is an electron releasing group which decreases the acidity of phenol and the effect is more pronounced at ortho and para positions.

Question 15. Mark the correct increasing order of reactivity of the following compounds with HBr/HCl.

Solution: (c) All three benzyl alcohols react with HBr/HCl through the formation of intermediate carbocation. The more stable the carbocation, the more reactive is the alcohol. The electron releasing groups i.e. NO₂, Cl decrease the stability of the carbocation. Since -NO₂ group is stronger electron withdrawing than -Cl group, therefore, stability of carbocation increases in the order:

Therefore, the reactivity of benzyl alcohols increases in the order: (II) < (III)<(I)

Question 16. Arrange the following compounds in increasing order of boiling point. Propan-l-ol, butan-2-ol, pentan-l-ol
(a) Propan-1 -ol, butan-2-ol, butan-1 -ol, pentan-l-ol
(b) Propan-1 -ol, butan-1 -ol, butan-2-ol, pentan-1 -ol
(c) Pentan-1 -ol, butan-2-ol, butan-1 -ol, propan-1 -ol
(d) Pentan-1 -ol, butan-1 -ol, butan-2-ol, propan-1 -ol
Solution: (a) Boiling point increases with increase in molecular mass of the alcohols. Among isomeric alcohols 1° alcohols have higher boiling points than 2° alcohols. Thus, correct order is:
Propan-l-ol < butan-2-ol < butan-l-ol < pentan-l-ol.

More than One Correct Answer Type

Question 17. Which of the following are used to convert RCHO into RCH₂OH?
(a) H₂/Pd
(b) LiAlH₄
(c) NaBH₄
(d) Reaction with RMgX followed by hydrolysis
Solution: (a, b, c) Conversion of aldehyde into alcohol is a reduction reaction. This reduction can be carried out by adding hydrogen in presence of finely divided metal catalyst such as platinum, palladium or nickel.

Question 18. Which of the following reaction will yield phenol?


Solution:

Haloarene requires extreme conditions for nucleophilic substitution reaction. Chlorobenzene does not undergo hydrolysis on treatment with aqueous NaOH at 298 K and 1 atm.

Question 19. Which of the following reagents can be used to oxidize primary alcohols to aldehydes?
(a) CrO₃ in anhydrous medium
(b) KMnO₄ in acidic medium
(c) Pyridinium chlorochromate
(d) Heat in the presence of Cu at 573 K
Solution: (a, c, d) CrO₃ in anhydrous medium, PCC and heating in presence of Cu (dehydrogenation) will oxidize primary alcohols to aldehydes. KMnO₄ will further oxidize it to acid.

Question 20. Phenol can be distinguished from ethanol by the reactions with ………….
(a) Br₂/water (b) Na
(c) Neutral FeCl₃ (d) All of these
Solution: (a, c) Phenol reacts with bromine water to give a colourless tribromo derivative and gives a violet coloured complex with FeCl₃. Ethanol does not give these reactions.

Question 21. Which of the following are benzylic alcohols?

Solution: (b, c) In benzylic alcohols, the -OH group is attached to a sp3 hybridised carbon atom next to an aromatic ring. In compounds (a) and (d), the -OH group is attached to a sp3 hybridised carbon atom but this carbon is not attached to the benzene ring.
On the other hand, in compounds (a) and (c), the -OH group is attached to a sp3 hybridised carbon atom next to an aromatic ring.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 22. What is the structure and IUPAC name of glycerol?
Solution:

Question 23. Write the IUPAC name of the following compounds,

Solution:

Question 24. Write the IUPAC name of the compound given below.

Solution:

Question 25. Name the factors responsible for the solubility of alcohols in water.
Solution: Alcohols are soluble in water because of hydrogen bonding with water molecules.

The solubility decreases with increase in size of alkyl or aryl group.

Question 26. What is denatured alcohol?
Solution: Alcohol is made unfit for drinking by mixing some copper sulphate and pyridine to it. This process is called denaturation of alcohol and alcohol mixed with copper sulphate and pyridine is called denatured alcohol.

Question 27. Suggest a reagent for the following conversion.

Solution: Cr03, pyridine and HC1 (Pyridinium chlorochromate) C3H5 N HCr03Cl .

Question 28. Out of 2-chloroethanol and ethanol which is more acidic and why?
Solution: 2-Chloroethanol is more acidic, due to -I effect of chlorine atom.

Question 29. Suggest a reagent for conversion of ethanol to ethanal.
Solution: CrO₃, pyridine and HCl (Pyridinium chlorochromate, PCC) in CH₂C₁₂.

Question 30. Suggest a reagent for conversion of ethanol to ethanoic acid.
Solution: Any strong oxidising agent e.g., acidified K₂Cr₂O₇ or KMnO₄.

Question 31. Out of o-nitrophenol and p-nitrophenol, which is more volatile? Explain.
Solution: Ortho nitrophenol is much more volatile in steam due to chelation. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding is present in o-nitrophenol and intermolecular hydrogen bonding in p-nitrophenol.

Question 32. Out of o-nitrophenol and o-cresol which is more acidic?
Solution: Nitro group is electron is electron withdrawing while -CH₃ group is electron releasing.

As a result, O – H bond in o-nitrophenol is much weaker than the O – H bond in o-cresol and hence o-nitrophenol is much more acidic than o-cresol.

Question 33. When phenol is treated with bromine water, white precipitate is obtained. Give the structure and the name of the compound formed.
Solution:

Question 34. Arrange the following compounds in increasing order of acidity and give a suitable explanation:
Phenol, o-Nitrophenol, o-Cresol
Solution:

Question 35. Alcohols react with active metals, e.g., Na, K, etc., to give corresponding alkoxides. Write down the decreasing order or reactivity of sodium metal towards primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols.
Solution: Decreasing order of reactivity of sodium metal is: 1° > 2° > 3°
Alcohols react with sodium metal to form alkoxides and hydrogen is liberated:

The order of reactivity of alcohols is primary > secondary > tertiary. This can be explained on the basis of cleavage of O – H bond. The alkyl groups are electron releasing groups (+1 effect) and they increase the electron density around the oxygen. As a result, the electrons of O – H bond cannot be withdrawn strongly towards oxygen and O – H remains strong. Therefore, greater is the number, of alkyl groups present, smaller will be reactivity of alcohol.

Question 36. What happens when benzene diazonium chloride is heated with water?
Solution:

Question 37. Arrange the following compounds in decreasing order of acidity:
H₂O, R-OH, HC = CH
Solution: Decreasing order of acidify is:
H₂O>R-OH>HC = CH

Question 38. Name the enzymes and write the reactions involved in the preparation of ethanol from sucrose by fermentation.
Solution:

Question 39. How can propan-2-one be converted into tert-butyl alcohol?
Solution:

Question 40. Write the structures of the isomers of alcohols with molecular formula C₄H₁₀O. Which one of these isomers exhibits optical activity?
Solution: Isomers of alcohols (C₄H₁₀O) are:

Question 41. Explain why is OH group in phenols more strongly held as compared to OH group in alcohols.
Solution: In phenol, oxygen atom is attached to sp²-hybridised carbon atom while in alcohol, it is attached to sp³-hybridised carbon atom. The bond formed between oxygen and .sp²-hybridised carbon is more strongly held then that formed between oxygen and sp³-hybridised carbon.

Question 42. Explain why nucleophilic substitution reactions are not very common in phenols.
Solution: The C – O bond in phenols has some double bond character due to resonance and hence cannot be easily cleaved by nucleophiles. So, nucleophilic substitution reactions are not very common in phenols and they give many electrophilic substitution reactions.

Question 43. Preparation of alcohols from alkenes involves the electrophilic attack on alkene carbon atom. Explain its mechanism.
Solution: The mechanism of acid catalysed addition of water (hydration) to alkenes involves the following three steps:
Step 1: Electrophilic attack by hydronium ion (H₃O⁺) on alkene gives an intermediate, carbocation.

Question 44. Explain why is O = C = O nonpolar while R – O – R is polar.
Solution: O = C = O molecule is linear so that the polarities of two C – O bonds get cancelled and the molecule is linear.
Ethers have structures similar to water and have angular or bent structure. Therefore, the polarity of two R – O groups does not get cancelled and these have net dipole moment. Thus, R – O – R is polar.

Question 45. Why is the reactivity of all three classes of alcohols with cone. HCl and ZnCl₂ (Lucas reagent) different?
Solution: The alcohol combine with HCl to form protonated alcohol. The positive charge on oxygen weakens the C – O bond leading to its cleavage.

The rate determining step in the above mechanism is (ii), which is a slow step reaction. The stability of carbocation will determine the reactivity of the reaction. Since the order of stability of carbocation is: Pri. < sec. < tert. Hence the order of formation of alkyl halide in the above reaction is pri. < sec. < tert.

Question 46. Write steps to carry out the conversion of phenol to aspirin.
Solution:

Question 47. Nitration is an example of aromatic electrophilic substitution and its rate depends upon the group already present in the benzene ring. Out of benzene and phenol, which one is more easily nitrated and why?
Solution: Phenol is more easily nitrated than benzene because the —OH group in phenol increases the electron density at o- and p-positions in benzene ring by +R effect. Nitration which is an electrophilic substitution reaction takes place more readily where the electron density is more.

Question 48. In Kolbe’s reaction, instead of phenol, phenoxide ion is treated with carbon dioxide. Why?
Solution: Phenoxide ion is more reactive than phenol towards electrophilic substitution. The negative charge on oxygen is transferred to benzene through resonance. This helps in the attachment of Co₂ which is a weak electrophile to the benzene ring finally giving salicylic acid. .

Question 49. Dipole moment of phenol is smaller than that of methanol. Why?
Solution: In phendl, C – O bond is less polar due to electron withdrawing effect of benzene ring, whereas in methanol C – O bond is more polar due to electron releasing effect of—CH₃ group. Hence, the dipole moment of phenol (1.54 D) is smaller than that of methanol (1.71 D).

Question 50. Ethers can be prepared by Williamson’s synthesis in which an alkyl halide is reacted with sodium alkoxide. Di-tert-butyl ether cannot be prepared by this method. Explain.
Solution: In tert-butyl halides, the elimination reaction is favoured over substitution. So, alkene is the only reaction product formed and not the ether.

Question 51. Why is the C – O – H bond angle‘in alcohols slightly less than the tetrahedral angle whereas the C – O – C bond angle in ether is slightly greater?
Solution: The C – O – H bond angle in alcohols is slightly less than the tetrahedral angle (109.5°) because of larger repulsions between the lone pairs of electrons. For example in methanol C – O – H bond angle is 108.9°.
In ethers, the C – O – C bond angle is slightly greater than tetrahedral angle. For example in dimethyl ether C – O – C bond angle is 111.7°. The larger bond angle in ethers may be because of greater repulsions between bulkier alkyl groups as compared to one H in alcohols.

Question 52. Explain why are low molecular mass alcohols soluble in water?
Solution: The lower members of alcohols are highly soluble in water but the solubility decreases with increase in molecular weight. The solubility of lower alcohols in water is due to the formation of hydrogen bonds between alcohols and water molecules.

Question 53. Explain why is p-nitrophenol more acidic than phenol?
Solution: The electron withdrawing group (-NO₂), withdraws electrons and disperses the negative charge. Therefore, -NO₂ group stabilizes the phenoxide ion. Hence p-nitrophenol is more acidic than phenol.

Question 54. Explain why alcohols and ethers of comparable molecular mass have different boiling points.
Solution: Ethers have low polarity and as a result do not show any association by intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Therefore, ethers have low boiling points and lower than that of isomeric alcohols and almost same as those of alkanes of comparable molecular masses.

The large difference in boiling points of alcohols and ethers is due to the presence of hydrogen bonding in alcohols.

Question 55. The carbon-oxygen bond in phenol is slightly stronger than that in methanol. Why?
Solution: This can be explained as under:
(i)In phenol, the conjugation of unshared electron pairs over oxygen with aromatic ring results in partial double bond character in C – O bond.

In methanol, no such conjugation (resonance) is possible.
(ii) In phenol, oxygen is attached to sp² hybridised carbon while in methanol, oxygen attached to sp² hybridised carbon. An sp² hybridised carbon is more electronegative (because of greater 5-character) than sp³ hybridised carbon atom. Therefore, the bond between oxygen and sp² hybridised carbon is more stable than the bond between oxygen and sp², hybridised orbital.

Question 56. Arrange water, ethanol and, phenol in increasing order of acidity and give reason for your answer.
Solution: Increasing order of acidity is: ethanol < water < phenol.
This is because the phenoxide ion obtained after the removal of H⁺ is resonance stabilised, while the ethoxide ion obtained after the removal of H⁺ is destabilised by +1 effect of ethyl group. Thus phenol is a stronger acid than ethanol.
Now, ethanol is a weaker acid than water because the electron releasing ethyl group increases the ethanol density on oxygen and consequently the proton will not be released easily. There is no such effect is water.

Matching Column Type Questions

Question 57. Match the structures of the compounds given in Column I with the name of the compounds given in Column II.


Solution: (i —» d), (ii —» c), (iii —> f), (iv —> a), (v —» g), (vi —» b)
(i) Cresols are organic compounds which are methyl phenols. There are three forms of cresol: o-cresol, p-cresol and w-cresol.
(ii) Catechol is also known as pyrocatechol. Its IUPAC name is 1, 2-dihydrobenzene. It is used in the production of pesticides, perfumes and pharmaceuticals.
(iii) Its IUPAC name is 1, 3-dihydroxybenzene. Resorcinol is used to treat acne, seborrheic dermatitis and other skin disorder.
(iv) Hydroquinone is also known as quinol. Its IUPAC name is 1, 4-dihydroxybenzene. Itisawhite granularsolid.lt isagoodreducing agent.
(v) Anisole or methoxy benzene, is a colourless liquid with a smell reminiscent of anise seed.
(vi) Phenetole is an organic compound. It is also known as ethylphenyl ether. It is volatile in nature and its vapour are explosive in nature.

Question 58. Match the starting materials given in Column I with the products formed by these (Column II) in the reaction with HI.


Solution: (i —> d), (ii —» e), (iii —> b), (iv —» a)
(i) CH₃ – O – CH₃ is a symmetrical ether so the products are CH₃I and CH₂OH.
(ii) In (CH₃)₂CH – O – CH₃ unsymmetrical ether, one alkyl group is primary while another is secondary. So, it follows S_N ²mechanism. Thus, the halide ion attacks the smaller alkyl group and the products are

(iii) In this case, one of the alkyl group is tertiary and the other is primary. It follows  S_N ¹  mechanism and halide ion attacks the tertiary alkyl group and the products are (CH₃)₃ C-I and CH₃OH.
(iv) Here, the unsymmetrical ether is alkyl aryl ether. In this ether 0-CH₃ bond is weaker than 0-C₆H₅bond which has partial double bond character due to resonance. So, the halide ion attacks on alkyl group and the products are C₆H₅-OH and CH₃I.

Question 59. Match the items of Column I with items of Column II.

Solution: (i e), (ii —> f), (iii —> d), (iv —» c), (v —> a), (vi —» b)
(i) IUPAC name of ethylene glycol is ethane-1, 2-diol. It is primarily used as raw material in the manufacturing of polyester fibers and fabric industry. A small percentage of it is used in antifreeze formulations.
(ii) Ethanol is a good solvent for fatty and waxy substances. Fats and waxes provide odour to the perfumes. Apart from being a good solvent, it is less irritating to the skin. So, it is used in perfumes.
(iii) Phenol is converted into picric acid (2, 4, 6-trinitro-phenol) by the reaction of phenol with cone. HNO₃.

(iv) Methanol, CH3OH is also known as ‘wood spirit’ as it was produced by the destructive distillation of wood.
(v) Neutral ferric chloride give purple/red colour when treated with phenols. It is the reagent used for detection of phenolic group.
(vi) Soaps are prepared by the reactions of fatty acid with NaOH.

Question 60. Match the items of Column I with items of Column II.

Solution: (i —» d), (ii -» a), (iii -> f), (iv -> e), (v -> c), (vi -> b) .
(i) Methanol is also known as ‘wood spirit’ as it was produced by the destructive distillation of wood.
(ii) In Kolbe’s reaction, 2-hydroxy benzoic acid (salicylic acid) is prepared by the reaction of phenol with CO₂ gas.

Assertion and Reason Type Questions

In the following questions, a statement of Assertion (A) followed by a statement of Reason (R) is given. Choose the correct answer out of the following choices:
(a) Assertion and Reason both are correct and Reason is the correct explanation of Assertion.
(b) Both Assertion and Reason are wrong.
(c) Assertion is correct but Reason is wrong.
(d) Assertion is wrong but Reason is correct.
(e) Both Assertion and Reason are correct but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion. .

Question 61. Assertion (A): Addition reaction of water to but-l-ene in acidic medium yields-butan-l-ol.
Reason (R): Addition of water in acidic medium proceeds through the formation of primary carbocation.
Solution: (b) Addition of water to but-l-ene in acidic medium yields butan-2-ol.
Addition of water proceeds through formation of secondary carbocation.

Question 62. Assertion (A): p-Nitrophcnol is more acidic than phenol.
Reason (R): Nitro group helps in the stabilization of the phenoxide ion by dispersal of negative charge due to resonance.
Solution: (a) p-Nitrophenol is more acidic than phenol because nitro group stabilizes phenoxide ion by dispersal of negative charge.

Question 63. Assertion (A): IUPAC name of the compound

Reason (R): In IUPAC nomenclature, ether is regarded as hydrocarbon derivative in which a hydrogen atom is replaced by -OR or -OAr group [where R = alkyl group and Ar = aryl group]
Solution: (d) IUPAC name of the compound is 2-propoxypropane.

Question 64. Assertion (A): Bond angle in ethers is slightly less than the tetrahedral angle. Reason (R): There is a repulsion between the two bulky (-R) groups.
Solution: (d) Bond angle in ethers is slightly more than the tetrahedral angle due to repulsion between two bulky alkyl group.

Question 65. Assertion (A): Boiling points of alcohols and ethers are high.
Reason (R): They can form intermolecular hydrogen bonding.
Solution: (b) Boiling points of alcohols are higher than ethers. Alcohols can form intermolecular hydrogen bonding whereas ethers cannot.

Question 66. Assertion (A): Like bromination of benzene, bromination of phenol is also carried out in the presence of Lewis acid.
Reason (R): Lewis acid polarizes the bromine molecule.
Solution: (d) Bromination of phenol can be carried out in absence of Lewis acid.

Question 67. Assertion (A): o-Nitrophenol is less soluble in water than the m- and p-isomers.
Reason (R): m-Nitrophenol and p-Nitrophenol exists as associated molecules.
Solution: (e) In o-nitrophenol there is intramolecular H-bonding.

Thus, o-nitrophenol does not form H-bond with H₂O but m-nitrophenol and p-nitrophenol form H-bonds with H₂O. Also, due to intermolecular H-bonding m-nitrophenol and p-nitrophenol exist as associated molecules.

Question 68. Assertion (A): Ethanol is a weaker acid than phenol.
Reason (R): Sodium ethoxide may be prepared by the reaction of ethanol with aqueous NaOH.
Solution: (c) Phenol is stronger acid than ethanol as phenoxide ion is stabilized by resonance whereas no such stabilization occurs in ethoxide ion. Sodium ethoxide can be prepared by reaction of ethanol with sodium.

Question 69. Assertion (A): Phenol forms 2,4, 6-tribromophenol on treatment with Br₂ in carbon disulphide at 273 K.
Reason (R): Bromine polarizes in carbon disulphide.
Solution: (b) Phenol forms 2, 4, 6-tribromophenol on treatment with bromine in water. In phenols, the polarization of bromine takes place even in the absence of Lewis acid.

Question 70. Assertion (A): Phenols give o-nitrophenol and p-nitrophenol on nitration with cone. HNO₃ and H₂SO₄ mixture.
Reason (R): -OH group in phenol is o-,p-directing.
Solution: (d) Phenols give o, p-nitrophenol on nitration with dil. HNO₃ and with cone.
• HNO₃, 2,4, 6-trinitrophenol is formed.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 71. Write the mechanism of the reaction of HI with methoxybenzene.
Solution: In case of alkyl aryl ethers, the products are always phenol and an alkyl halide because due to resonance C₆H₅ – O bond has partial double bond character.

Question 72. (a) Name the starting material used in the industrial preparation of phenol.
(b) Write complete reaction for the bromination of phenol in aqueous and non-aqueous medium.
(c) Explain why Lewis acid is not required in bromination of pheflol?
Solution: (a) Cumene (Isopropyl benzene) is the starting material used in industrial
preparation of phenol.


(c) Usual halogenation is carried out in the presence of Lewis acid, FeBr3 which polarises the halogen molecule. In case of phenol, the polarisation of bromine occurs even in the absence of Lewis acid. This is because of highly activating effect of -OH group on the benzene ring. The reaction follows:

Note: In aqueous solution, phenol ionizes to give phenoxide ion. Due to the presence of the negative charge, the oxygen atom of the phenoxide ion donates electrons to the benzene ring to a large extent. As a result, the ring gets highly activated leading to the formation of trisubstituted product. On the other hand, in the non-polar solvents, the ionization of phenol does not occurs to a large extent. As a result, the -OH group donates electrons to the benzene ring only to a small extent. Consequently, the ring is activated slightly and, therefore, only monosubstitution occurs.

Question 73. How can phenol be converted to aspirin?
Solution: Phenol is converted into salicylic acid.
The reaction is usually carried out by allowing sodium phenoxide to absorb carbon dioxide and then heating the product to 400 K and 4-7 atm pressure. First unstable intermediate is formed which undergoes a proton shift to form sodium salicylate. The subsequent acidification of sodium salicylate gives

Question 74. Explain a process in which a biocatalyst is used in industrial preparation of a compound known to you.
Solution: Biocatalysts are complex organic compounds which act as catalysts in reaction taking place in living organism. These biocatalysts (enzymes) are used in the manufacture of ethanol.
Ethanol from sugar solution (molasses):
Molasses is a non-crystalline form of sugar obtained as the mother liquor after crystallisation of sugar from sugar solution. This contains about 50% sugar. It is diluted to about 10% solution and yeast is added and kept for about 2-3 days. Yeast supplies the enzymes invertase and zymase. The enzyme invertase hydrolyses sucrose to glucose and fructose. The enzyme zymase (found in yeast) converts glucose and fructose to ethanol.

In wine making, grapes are the source of sugars and yeast. As grapes ripen, the quantity of sugar increases and the yeast grows on the skin of the grapes. When the grapes are crushed, sugar and enzyme come in contact and fermentation starts. Fermentation takes place under anaerobic conditions (i.e., in the absence of air). During fermentation CO₂ is released.
The action of enzyme is inhibited when the concentration of alcohol exceeds 14%. If air enters the fermentation mixture, the O₂ of the air oxidised ethanol to ethanoic acid which spoils the taste of alcoholic drinks and makes it sour.

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