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


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:



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