Which one of the following properties is exhibited by phenol?a)It is s...
Phenol:
Phenol is an organic compound that consists of a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a benzene ring. It is a white crystalline solid that has a distinctive odor. Phenol is commonly used in the production of plastics, disinfectants, and pharmaceuticals.
Solubility in aq. NaOH:
When phenol is dissolved in aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH), it forms a soluble sodium phenoxide salt. This is due to the reaction between the hydroxyl group of phenol and the sodium hydroxide. The reaction can be represented as:
C6H5OH + NaOH → C6H5ONa + H2O
The sodium phenoxide formed in this reaction is soluble in water, making phenol soluble in aqueous sodium hydroxide solution.
Evolution of CO2 with aq. NaHCO3:
When phenol is treated with aqueous sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), it does not evolve carbon dioxide (CO2). Sodium bicarbonate is a weak base, and phenol is a weaker acid compared to carbonic acid (H2CO3), which is formed when sodium bicarbonate reacts with water. Therefore, phenol does not undergo the typical acid-base reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas.
The reaction between phenol and sodium bicarbonate can be represented as:
C6H5OH + NaHCO3 → C6H5O-Na+ + CO2 + H2O
However, in reality, this reaction does not occur to a significant extent, and thus phenol does not evolve CO2 with aqueous sodium bicarbonate.
Correct answer:
Based on the given options, the correct answer is option B - "It is soluble in aq. NaOH and does not evolve CO2 with aq. NaHCO3." This is because phenol is indeed soluble in aqueous sodium hydroxide, but it does not evolve carbon dioxide when treated with aqueous sodium bicarbonate.
In summary, phenol exhibits solubility in aqueous sodium hydroxide but does not evolve carbon dioxide when treated with aqueous sodium bicarbonate.
Which one of the following properties is exhibited by phenol?a)It is s...
B