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Methods Of Preparation Of Phenols, Important Topics For JEE Main 2024

Preparation of phenols : Several chemicals are utilised to make phenols, including diazonium salts, sulfuric benzoic acid, haloarenes, and cumene. They are also known as carbolic acids.
authorImageShrivastav 13 Feb, 2024
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Preparation Of Phenols

Methods Of Preparation Of Phenols : Any organic compound that belongs to the phenol family can be identified by its aromatic ring-attached hydroxyl (OH) group to a carbon atom. The most basic member of the family is phenol, also known as carbolic acid or monohydroxy benzene (C 6 H 5 OH).

Additionally, the whole family is referred to by the generic term, phenol. Phenols and alcohols are comparable in that they form stronger hydrogen bonds. They are therefore more soluble in water and have higher boiling points than alcohols. An overview of the synthesis of phenols from haloarenes, cumene, diazonium salts, and benzene sulphonic acid is given in this article. An organic compound known as phenol has a hydroxyl group and a benzene ring attached to it. Being weak acids, phenols typically lose one positive hydrogen ion (H + ) from the hydroxyl group to form phenoxide ions. Historically, coal tar was the main ingredient used to make phenol. But as technology has advanced, new techniques for preparing phenols have been developed. The main source of phenol produced in labs is benzene derivatives. Below is an explanation of a few of the phenol preparation techniques.

Preparation of Phenols

Preparation of Phenol s: Nowadays, phenol is synthesized and sold commercially. In the laboratory, one of the following techniques is used to create phenols from benzene derivatives.

Preparation of phenols form Haloarenes

Preparation of phenols form Haloarenes: - The mono substitution of the benzene ring results in the formation of haloarenes, such as chlorobenzene. At 623 K and 300 atm, sodium hydroxide and chlorobenzene fuse to form sodium phenoxide. Finally, acidification produces phenol form sodium, phenoxide.

Elevated temperatures can be used to treat this benzene sulphonic acid in order to promote the formation of sodium phenoxide by melting sodium hydroxide. Finally, acidification produces phenol from sodium phenoxide.

Preparation of phenols form Benzene Sulphonic Acid

: - A reaction between benzene and oleum yields benzene sulphonic acid. Elevated temperatures can be used to treat this benzene sulphonic acid in order to promote the formation of sodium phenoxide by melting sodium hydroxide. Finally, acidification produces phenol from sodium phenoxide.

Preparation of phenols form Diazonium salts

Preparation of phenols form Diazonium salts: - Diazonium salts are produced by treating an aromatic primary amine at 273 –278 K with nitrous (NaNO 2 + HCl) acid. These salts of diazonium have a very reactive nature. Finally, these diazonium salts hydrolyze phenols when heated with water. By treating diazonium salts with diluted acids, phenols can also be extracted from them.

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Preparation of phenols form Cumene

Preparation of phenols form Cumene: - Friedel-Crafts alkylation of benzene with propylene yields cumene, an organic compound. When cumene (isopropyl benzene) is exposed to air, it oxidizes and produces cumene hydroperoxide. Phenols are produced when diluted acid is used to further treat cumene hydroperoxide. As a significant byproduct of this reaction, acetone is also produced in significant amounts. Therefore, purifications are necessary for phenols prepared using these methods.

Methods Of Preparation Of Phenols FAQs

Q.1: Why are phenols less soluble in water?

Ans:    Since phenols are entirely composed of non-polar groups, their ability to molecularly form bonds with hydrogen in water is severely restricted.

Q. 2: What are the methods of preparation of Phenols?

Ans:    Synthesis of phenols using diazonium salts, cumene, benzene sulphonic acid, and haloarenes. Another name for them is carbolic acids. They are weak acids that primarily drop one positive hydrogen ion (H+) from the hydroxyl group to form phenoxide ions. Coal tar was the primary ingredient used to make phenol. These days, new techniques for producing phenols in laboratories have emerged due to technological advancements. Phenol is primarily produced in laboratories using derivatives of benzene.

Q.3: What is the use of Phenols? 

Ans:    It has been used to clean skin and reduce itching by using phenol. In products like Chloraseptic, which is used to treat pharyngitis, phenol is also utilized as an oral analgesic or anesthetic. Bisphenol-A, an essential precursor to epoxide resins and polycarbonates, is produced through condensation with acetone. In addition, phenol is a helpful precursor to a wide range of medications, including several pharmaceuticals and herbicides in addition to aspirin.

Q.4 :    How to prepare Phenols from Cumenes?

Ans:    Cumene is produced when benzene and propylene are alkylated using the Friedel-Crafts process. Cumene (isopropyl benzene) oxidizes and forms cumene hydroperoxide when it comes into contact with air. When cumene hydroperoxide is treated further with diluted acid, phenols are created. Significant amounts of acetone are also produced as a byproduct of this reaction. For phenols made in this way, purifications are therefore required.

Q.5 :    Why is phenol acidic?

Ans:    When a -OH group is joined to a hydrocarbon, compounds such as alcohols and phenols are extremely weak acids. In normal laboratory settings, the acidity of alcohols can be practically ignored due to their extremely weak acidity. Even though phenol is still a very weak acid, its acidity is sufficient for it to have unique acidic characteristics. Separating from the -OH group allows a hydrogen ion to move to a base. The phenoxide ion that is produced is somewhat stabilized, which allows phenol to lose one hydrogen ion. Throughout the ring, the oxygen atom's negative charge is dispersed. There is a direct correlation between ion stability and formation probability. Overlapping with the delocalized electrons on the benzene ring is one of the lone pairs on the oxygen atom.
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