Phenol Structure

Question 1

Name 3 things phenols are used as

Answer 1

Any 3 of 
Plastics
Antiseptics
Disinfectants
Resin in paint

Question 2

how do phenol and benzene differ?

Answer 2

phenol is a benzene ring with a -OH gp attached directly to it
while benzene is just benzene

Question 3

is phenol a weak or strong acid, why?

Answer 3

weak acid ( so it donates e-) this is due to the high stability so it cant fully dissociate

Question 4

why is there a negative charge on the phenol after dissociation

Answer 4

as the O’s negative charge is spread along the whole delocalised system

Question 5

why is phenol more reactive than benzene (4)

Answer 5

1. lone pait of e- from oxygen (p orbital) overlaps with delocalised pi system
2. delocalised pi system in phenol has a higher electron density
3. so electrophiles (proton acceptors) are more attracted to the benzene ring in phenol
4. so electrophilic substitution is more likely to happen

Question 6

what one thing can phenol not react with and why

Answer 6

carbonate, its such a weak acid

Question 7

how can u test for a benzene

Answer 7

electrophilic substitution of benze
(just like alkenes)
decolourises if benzene BUT also white ppt formed

Question 8

name the 2 directing groups

Answer 8

1. 2-,4- directing group

2. 3- or 5- directing group

Question 9

what do directing gps do

Answer 9

they are already attached to the benzene ring and this will change the benzenes e- density so it will guif other molecules to attach to nxt

Question 10

we have a -OH or -NH2 attached to a benzene ring

• where will the next molecules attach to?
• what happens to reactivity and why?
• does it take or give e- to the benzene

Answer 10

2,4 position from OH or NH2
increases reactivity as it gives e- to ring as its a negative molecule so electrophiles are attracted to it more
donates e-

Question 11

we have a -NO2 attached to a benzene ring

• where will the next molecules attach to?
• what happens to reactivity and why?
• does it take or give e- to the benzene

Answer 11

3 position from NO2
reactivity deacreases as NO2 is a positive molecule so it take electrons away so there is a lower e- density in the benzene ring. so new molecules attach at 3
takes electrons