What you’ll learn7 learning objectivesChoose one objective for a focused lesson, or study the complete topic.32.2.1Preparation of phenol• Recall preparation of phenol: (a) reaction of phenylamine with HNO₂ or NaNO₂ and dil. acid below 10 °C to produce the diazonium salt; further warming of the diazonium salt with H₂O to give phenolSyllabus objective32.2.2Reactions of phenol• Recall the chemistry of phenol, as exemplified by the following reactions:- (a) with bases, e.g. NaOH(aq) to produce sodium phenoxide- (b) with Na(s) to produce sodium phenoxide and H2(g)- (c) in NaOH(aq) with diazonium salts, to give azo compounds- (d) nitration of the aromatic ring with dil. HNO₃(aq) at room temp. to give a mixture of- 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol- (e) bromination of the aromatic ring with Br₂(aq) to form 2,4,6-tribromophenolSyllabus objective32.2.3Acidity of phenol• Explain the acidity of phenolSyllabus objective32.2.4Acidities of water, phenol and ethanol• Describe/explain: the relative acidities of water, phenol and ethanolSyllabus objective32.2.5Phenol nitration and bromination conditions• Explain why the reagents/conditions for the nitration and bromination of phenol are different from those for benzeneSyllabus objective32.2.6Phenol directing effects• Recall that the hydroxyl group of a phenol directs to the 2-, 4- and 6-positionsSyllabus objective32.2.7Reactions of phenolic compounds• Apply knowledge of the reactions of phenol to those of other phenolic compounds, e.g. naphtholSyllabus objective