You are given benzene, conc. H 2 SO 4 and NaOH. Write the equations for the preparation of phenol using these reagents.

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

The reaction given below is:

Benzene reacts with concern. H₂SO₄ and undergoes the following mechanism:-

Step 1: The equilibrium produces SO₃ in concentrated H₂SO₄, as shown below:

Step 2: SO₃ is the electrophile which reacts with benzene to form arenium ion, as shown below:

Step 3: A proton is removed from the arenium ion to form benzenesulfonate ion.

Step 4: The benzenesulfonate ion accepts a proton to become benzene-sulphonic acid, as shown below:

Step 5: The benzene sulphonic acid then reacts with NaOH to give phenol as the final product, as shown below:

You are given benzene, conc. H2SO4 and NaOH. Write the equations for the preparation of phenol using these reagents.