Phenols Flashcards
Why is phenol slightly more acidic than water?
The equilibrium lies more to the right
What is produced when phenols react with water?
Oxonium ion
R-O- ion
Is phenol a stronger or weaker acid than carboxylic acid?
Less stronger - but is still quite a strong (weak) acid
What happens if the R-O- ion is formed from phenol?
The electric charge gets spread out by delocalisation
Some of charge gets spread out onto benzene ring
The R-O- ion is more stable
Can phenols react with carbonates?
No - doesn’t have a high enough concentration of hydrogen ions to release carbon dioxide gas (considered weak acid)
What happens when phenols react with alkalis like NaOH?
It’s sodium salt is formed - sodium phenoxide
What happens when phenols react with iron(lll) chloride?
The solution turns purple
Why does the solution turn purple when phenol reacts with iron(lll) chloride?
The ‘enol’ group in phenol forms a purple complex with iron ions (Fe3+) in neutral solution
What is the test for a phenol?
Iron(III) chloride - turns purple
What can be made from phenols as well as alcohols?
Esters
What reacts with phenol to produce an ester?
An acyl chloride
Why does phenol have to react with acyl chloride to produce an ester?
The -OH group in phenol is less reactive than in alcohols
Requires more vigorous reagent to esterify it
Therefore acyl chloride is used to provide this rigorous reaction
What are the conditions for the reaction between a phenol and acyl chloride?
Room temperature Anyhydrous conditions (absence of water)
