ChemistryCode 9701
Phenol
What this topic asks you to be able to do
- state the routes (reagents and conditions) through which phenol can be made: treating phenylamine with HNO₂ or NaNO₂ plus dilute acid below 10°C to form the diazonium salt, then warming that diazonium salt with H₂O to give phenol
- recall phenol's behaviour through these examples: reaction with bases, for example NaOH(aq), giving sodium phenoxide; reaction with Na(s), giving sodium phenoxide and H₂(g); coupling with diazonium salts in NaOH(aq) to form azo compounds; nitrating the aromatic ring using dilute HNO₃(aq) at room temperature, producing a mixture of 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol; brominating the aromatic ring with Br₂(aq) to yield 2,4,6-tribromophenol
- account for the acidity shown by phenol
- describe and explain how water, phenol and ethanol compare in acidity
- account for why phenol needs different reagents and conditions for nitration and bromination than benzene does
- recall that, on a phenol's ring, substitution is directed by the hydroxyl group to the 2-, 4- and 6-positions
- apply your understanding of phenol's reactions to other phenolic compounds, e.g. naphthol