Treatment of Phenol with Excess Bromine Water

Phenol is an organic compound that contains a hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to a benzene ring. Bromine water is a solution of bromine in water, which is commonly used as an oxidizing agent in organic chemistry. When phenol is treated with excess bromine water, it undergoes a substitution reaction in which the hydroxyl group is replaced by a bromine atom.

Formation of 2,4,6-Tribromophenol

The reaction between phenol and excess bromine water results in the formation of 2,4,6-tribromophenol. This is because bromine water is a strong oxidizing agent that can react with the phenol molecule multiple times, leading to substitution of multiple hydroxyl groups with bromine atoms. The resulting product is a tri-substituted phenol molecule that contains bromine atoms at positions 2, 4, and 6 on the benzene ring.

Other Possible Products

While 2,4,6-tribromophenol is the major product formed in the reaction between phenol and excess bromine water, other products may also be formed depending on the reaction conditions. For example, if the reaction is carried out with a limited amount of bromine water, only one or two hydroxyl groups may be substituted with bromine atoms, leading to the formation of mono- or di-brominated phenols. In addition, the position of the bromine atom(s) on the benzene ring may vary depending on the reaction conditions, leading to the formation of different isomers of brominated phenols.

Conclusion

In summary, when phenol is treated with excess bromine water, it undergoes a substitution reaction in which the hydroxyl group is replaced by a bromine atom. The major product formed in this reaction is 2,4,6-tribromophenol, a tri-substituted phenol molecule that contains bromine atoms at positions 2, 4, and 6 on the benzene ring. However, other products may also be formed depending on the reaction conditions.