Q48 of 74 Page 158

In Kolbe’s reaction, instead of phenol, phenoxide ion is treated with carbon dioxide. Why?

In Kolbe’s reaction, instead of phenol, phenoxide ion is treated with carbon dioxide (a weak electrophile) because phenoxide ion is more reactive towards electrophilic aromatic substitution.Due to the resonance effect caused by –OH group, the ortho- and para-positions in the benzene ring becomes electron rich and therefore, activates it towards electrophilic substitution reaction.


More from this chapter

All 74 →
46

Write steps to carry out the conversion of phenol to aspirin.

 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?

 49

Dipole moment of phenol is smaller than that of methanol. Why?

 50

Ethers can be prepared by Williamson synthesis in which an alkyl halide is reacted with sodium alkoxide. Di-tert-butyl ether can’t be prepared by this method. Explain.