A Level Chemistry - Synthetic Routes: Phenols

Vocabulary flashcards covering the reaction pathways and synthetic routes of phenols, including reactions with dilute nitric acid, bromine, and aqueous sodium hydroxide.

Nitration of phenol (dilute $\text{HNO}_3$)

The reaction of phenol with dilute nitric acid ($\text{dilute } \text{HNO}_3$) to yield a mixture of 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol.

Bromination of phenol ($\text{Br}_2$)

The electrophilic substitution reaction of phenol with aqueous bromine ($\text{Br}_2$) to produce 2,4,6-tribromophenol.

Reaction of phenol with $\text{NaOH}(aq)$

An acid-base neutralisation reaction where phenol reacts with aqueous sodium hydroxide to produce sodium phenoxide ($\text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{O}^-\text{Na}^+$).

2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol

The two isomeric mono-substituted products formed when phenol reacts with dilute $\text{HNO}_3$.

2,4,6-tribromophenol

The tri-substituted organic product formed by the direct reaction of phenol with $\text{Br}_2$, where bromine atoms substitute at positions 2, 4, and 6 relative to the hydroxyl group.

Sodium phenoxide

The ionic salt possessing the phenoxide ion and sodium counterion ($\text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{O}^-\text{Na}^+$), produced by reacting phenol with aqueous $\text{NaOH}$.