Write chemical reaction for the preparation of phenol from chlorobenzene.

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

There are many ways to this conversion. Two of them are given below:-

(a)

In the above conversion, the chlorobenzene is treated with a base such as NaOH, KOH etc. (strong base). The base abstracts the hydrogen from the C-2 position (it can also abstract the hydrogen from the C-6 position, as both are equally acidic) leaving the negative charge at that position.

In the next step Cl^- leaves, leaving behind the positive charge at that carbon. Both the negative charge and positive charge forms a bond resulting Benzyne as the intermediate.

After the formation of the Benzyne intermediate OH^- of the base attacks at the C-1 position and further, the H⁺ attacks to stabilize the negative charge thus resulting in the phenol.

(b) The second method is as follows:

The reaction can start from benzene also. Chlorination of benzene gives Chlorobenzene. When it is further treated with NaOH and H₂O at 350°C it results in the formation of sodium phenoxide which on further treatment H⁺ gives Phenol as the final product.