A-Level CAIE Chemistry A2 32.2.2—Reactions of phenol Question Bank

• 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-tribromophenol