Phenol reacts with sodium hydroxide solution but not with sodium carbonate solution, which shows that phenol is
Correct answer: B. a weaker acid than carbonic acid but strong enough to react with a strong base
- A. a stronger acid than carbonic acid
- B. a weaker acid than carbonic acid but strong enough to react with a strong base
- C. not acidic at all
- D. a base
Explanation
Phenol is acidic enough to be neutralised by a strong alkali, giving sodium phenoxide, but too weak to displace carbon dioxide from a carbonate, which a carboxylic acid can do. This pair of tests therefore distinguishes a phenol from a carboxylic acid in the laboratory. Ethanol reacts with neither reagent, so the three classes can be told apart in turn.
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About Phenols
Phenols contain a hydroxyl group directly bonded to an aromatic ring, making them more acidic than alcohols because the phenoxide ion is resonance-stabilised. Reactions include ionisation with bases, electrophilic substitution, bromination, nitration and oxidation, with attention to the difference between phenols and aliphatic alcohols.
Practise Alcohols and Phenols
535 free Alcohols and Phenols MCQs from Chemistry, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
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