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Answer the following.
Phenol is an aromatic alcohol that is used to prepare many important compounds such as picric acid…
Phenol is an aromatic alcohol that is used to prepare many important compounds such as picric acid. Phenol is widely used in household and industrial settings as a cleaner and disinfectant. It is also used as a primary chemical to make plastics. Phenol is less soluble in water as compared to aliphatic alcohol. Some aliphatic alcohols are toxic and can be addictive.
How is the acid mentioned above prepared from phenol? Write the chemical reaction involved in this preparation.
Answer
Answer
AIEquation: $\mathrm{C_{6}H_{5}OH} + 3\mathrm{HNO_{3}} \xrightarrow{\text{conc.}\text{ }\mathrm{H_{2}SO_{4}}} \mathrm{C_{6}H_{2}(NO_{2})_{3}OH} + 3\mathrm{H_{2}O}$
Product: 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (picric acid)
The acid is picric acid (2,4,6-trinitrophenol). Phenol is nitrated with conc. nitric acid in the presence of conc. sulphuric acid.
From ISC 2025 Chemistry Paper 1, question 19(i).