alcohols, phenols, and ethers

### 1 Mark Questions

1. **What is the functional group of alcohols?**
- **Answer:** Hydroxyl group (-OH).

2. **What is the simplest phenol?**

- **Answer:** Phenol (C₆H₅OH).

3. **What type of reaction do alcohols undergo with hydrogen halides?**

- **Answer:** Nucleophilic substitution.

4. **What is the IUPAC name for CH₃OH?**

- **Answer:** Methanol.

5. **What is the common name for ethanol?**

- **Answer:** Ethyl alcohol.

### 2 Mark Questions

1. **Classify alcohols based on the number of hydroxyl groups.**
- **Answer:** Monohydric, dihydric, trihydric, and polyhydric alcohols.

2. **What is the difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols?**

- **Answer:** Primary alcohols have the -OH group attached to a primary carbon, secondary to a secondary
carbon, and tertiary to a tertiary carbon.

3. **How are ethers classified?**

- **Answer:** Simple (symmetrical) and mixed (unsymmetrical) ethers.

4. **What is the process of converting phenol to sodium phenoxide?**

- **Answer:** Reaction with sodium hydroxide.

5. **What is the boiling point trend for alcohols?**

- **Answer:** Boiling points increase with the number of carbon atoms.

### 3 Mark Questions

1. **Explain how alcohols can be prepared from alkenes.**
- **Answer:** Alcohols can be prepared from alkenes through acid-catalyzed hydration or hydroboration-
oxidation.

2. **Describe the acidity of phenols compared to alcohols.**

- **Answer:** Phenols are more acidic than alcohols due to the resonance stabilization of the phenoxide ion.

3. **What is the Williamson synthesis?**

- **Answer:** A method for preparing ethers by reacting an alkyl halide with a sodium alkoxide.

4. **How does the presence of the -OH group affect the boiling point of alcohols?**
- **Answer:** The -OH group allows for hydrogen bonding, resulting in higher boiling points compared to
hydrocarbons of similar molecular weight.

5. **What is the mechanism of dehydration of alcohols?**

- **Answer:** The mechanism involves protonation of the alcohol, formation of a carbocation, and elimination of
water to form an alkene.

### 4 Mark Questions

1. **Discuss the preparation of phenols from haloarenes.**
- **Answer:** Phenols can be prepared by heating haloarenes with sodium hydroxide at high temperatures,
leading to nucleophilic substitution where the -OH group replaces the halogen.
 2. **Explain the oxidation reactions of alcohols.**
- **Answer:** Primary alcohols oxidize to aldehydes and then to carboxylic acids; secondary alcohols oxidize to
ketones; tertiary alcohols do not oxidize easily.

3. **What are the physical properties of ethers?**

- **Answer:** Ethers have lower boiling points than alcohols due to the absence of hydrogen bonding, and they
are generally less soluble in water compared to alcohols.

4. **Describe the Reimer-Tiemann reaction.**

- **Answer:** The Reimer-Tiemann reaction involves treating phenol with chloroform in the presence of a base to
introduce a -CHO group at the ortho position of the aromatic ring.

5. **How do alcohols react with metals?**

- **Answer:** Alcohols react with active metals like sodium to form alkoxides and release hydrogen gas,
demonstrating their acidic nature.

### 5 Mark Questions

1. **Explain the preparation of alcohols from carbonyl compounds.**
- **Answer:** Alcohols can be prepared from aldehydes and ketones through reduction reactions using hydrogen
gas with a catalyst or reducing agents like sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) or lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH₄).

2. **Discuss the chemical reactions of phenols.**

- **Answer:** Phenols undergo electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions, such as nitration and halogenation,
due to the activating effect of the -OH group. They can also react with metals to form phenoxides and participate in
Kolbe's reaction to form carboxylic acids.

3. **Describe the mechanism of acid-catalyzed hydration of alkenes to form alcohols.**

- **Answer:** The mechanism involves the protonation of the alkene to form a carbocation, followed by
nucleophilic attack by water, and finally deprotonation to yield the alcohol.

4. **What are the applications of alcohols, phenols, and ethers in everyday life?**
- **Answer:** Alcohols are used as solvents and in beverages; phenols are used in antiseptics and disinfectants;
ethers are used as solvents and anesthetics.

5. **Explain the significance of the hydroxyl group in the properties of alcohols and phenols.
Answer: The hydroxyl group (-OH) is responsible for the hydrogen bonding in alcohols and phenols, affecting their
boiling points, solubility in water, and reactivity, making them more polar and reactive compared to hydrocarbons.

### Important Reactions of Alcohols

1. **Hydration of Alkenes:**
- **Reaction:** Alkenes + H₂O (in presence of acid) → Alcohols
- **Example:** Propene + H₂O → Propan-2-ol (via Markovnikov's rule).

2. **Hydroboration-Oxidation:**
- **Reaction:** Alkenes + BH₃ → Trialkyl boranes → Alcohols (oxidized with H₂O₂/NaOH)
- **Example:** Propene → Propan-1-ol (anti-Markovnikov addition).

3. **Reduction of Carbonyl Compounds:**

- **Aldehydes:** Aldehydes + H₂ (catalyst) → Primary Alcohols
- **Ketones:** Ketones + H₂ (catalyst) → Secondary Alcohols
- **Example:** Butanal + H₂ → Butan-1-ol.

4. **Reduction of Carboxylic Acids:**

- **Reaction:** Carboxylic Acids + LiAlH₄ → Primary Alcohols
- **Example:** Acetic acid + LiAlH₄ → Ethanol.

5. **Grignard Reagent Reaction:**

 - **Reaction:** Grignard Reagent + Carbonyl Compound → Alcohol (after hydrolysis)
- **Example:** Methylmagnesium bromide + Propanone → 2-Methylpropan-2-ol.

6. **Dehydration of Alcohols:**
- **Reaction:** Alcohols → Alkenes (with concentrated H₂SO₄ or H₃PO₄)
- **Example:** Ethanol → Ethene (at 443 K).

7. **Oxidation of Alcohols:**
- **Primary Alcohols:** Primary Alcohols + KMnO₄ → Aldehydes → Carboxylic Acids
- **Secondary Alcohols:** Secondary Alcohols + KMnO₄ → Ketones
- **Tertiary Alcohols:** Do not oxidize easily.

8. **Reaction with Hydrogen Halides:**

- **Reaction:** Alcohols + HX → Alkyl Halides + H₂O
- **Example:** Ethanol + HCl → Ethyl chloride + H₂O.

### Important Reactions of Phenols

1. **Preparation from Haloarenes:**

- **Reaction:** Chlorobenzene + NaOH (high temperature) → Phenol + NaCl.

2. **Preparation from Benzene Sulphonic Acid:**

- **Reaction:** Benzene Sulphonic Acid + NaOH (high temperature) → Phenol.

3. **Preparation from Diazonium Salts:**

- **Reaction:** Diazonium Salt + H₂O → Phenol.

4. **Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution:**

- **Nitration:** Phenol + HNO₃ → Ortho and Para Nitrophenol.
- **Halogenation:** Phenol + Br₂ → 2,4,6-Tribromophenol.
- **Friedel-Crafts Reaction:** Anisole + Alkyl Halide → Alkylated Product.

5. **Kolbe’s Electrolysis:**
- **Reaction:** Phenoxide Ion + CO₂ → Ortho Hydroxybenzoic Acid.

6. **Reimer-Tiemann Reaction:**
- **Reaction:** Phenol + CHCl₃ + NaOH → Salicylaldehyde.

7. **Oxidation:**
- **Reaction:** Phenol + KMnO₄ → Benzoquinone.

### Important Reactions of Ethers

1. **Preparation by Dehydration of Alcohols:**

- **Reaction:** Alcohols + Acid → Ethers (at low temperatures).
- **Example:** Ethanol → Ethoxyethane (at 413 K).

2. **Williamson Ether Synthesis:**

- **Reaction:** Alkyl Halide + Sodium Alkoxide → Ether + Sodium Halide.
- **Example:** CH₃Br + NaOEt → Ethyl Methyl Ether.

3. **Cleavage of Ethers:**
- **Reaction:** Ethers + HI or HBr → Alkyl Halides + Alcohol.
- **Example:** Ethoxyethane + HI → Ethyl Iodide + Ethanol.
Based on the provided context regarding alcohols, phenols, and ethers, here are important tables and diagrams that
summarize key information about their nomenclature, classification, preparation methods, and reactions.

### Important Tables

#### Table 1: Common and IUPAC Names of Alcohols

| Common Name | IUPAC Name | Structure |

|----------------------|-----------------------|---------------------|
| Methyl alcohol | Methanol | CH₃OH |
| n-Propyl alcohol | Propan-1-ol | CH₃CH₂CH₂OH |
| Isopropyl alcohol | Propan-2-ol | (CH₃)₂CHO |
| n-Butyl alcohol | Butan-1-ol | CH₃(CH₂)₂CH₂OH |
| sec-Butyl alcohol | Butan-2-ol | CH₃CH(CH₃)CH₂OH |
| Isobutyl alcohol | 2-Methylpropan-1-ol | (CH₃)₂CHCH₂OH |
| tert-Butyl alcohol | 2-Methylpropan-2-ol | (CH₃)₃COH |
| Ethylene glycol | Ethane-1,2-diol | HOCH₂CH₂OH |
| Glycerol | Propane-1,2,3-triol | HOCH₂CHOHCH₂OH |

#### Table 2: Common and IUPAC Names of Phenols

| Common Name | IUPAC Name | Structure |

|----------------------|-----------------------|---------------------|
| Phenol | Phenol | C₆H₅OH |
| o-Cresol | 2-Methylphenol | C₆H₄(OH)(CH₃) |
| m-Cresol | 3-Methylphenol | C₆H₄(OH)(CH₃) |
| p-Cresol | 4-Methylphenol | C₆H₄(OH)(CH₃) |
| Catechol | 1,2-Benzenediol | C₆H₄(OH)₂ |
| Resorcinol | 1,3-Benzenediol | C₆H₄(OH)₂ |
| Hydroquinone | 1,4-Benzenediol | C₆H₄(OH)₂ |

#### Table 3: Common and IUPAC Names of Ethers

| Common Name | IUPAC Name | Structure |

|----------------------|-----------------------|---------------------|
| Dimethyl ether | Methoxymethane | CH₃OCH₃ |
| Diethyl ether | Ethoxyethane | C₂H₅OC₂H₅ |
| Methyl n-propyl ether| 1-Methoxypropane | CH₃OCH₂CH₂CH₃ |
| Methyl phenyl ether | Methoxybenzene | C₆H₅OCH₃ |
| Ethyl phenyl ether | Ethoxybenzene | C₆H₅OC₂H₅ |

### Important Diagrams

#### Diagram 1: Classification of Alcohols

- **Monohydric Alcohols:** Contain one -OH group (e.g., Methanol, Ethanol).

- **Dihydric Alcohols:** Contain two -OH groups (e.g., Ethylene glycol).
- **Trihydric Alcohols:** Contain three -OH groups (e.g., Glycerol).
- **Polyhydric Alcohols:** Contain multiple -OH groups.

#### Diagram 2: Mechanism of Acid-Catalyzed Hydration of Alkenes

1. **Protonation of Alkene:**
- Alkene + H⁺ → Carbocation
2. **Nucleophilic Attack:**
- H₂O attacks carbocation → Alcohol
3. **Deprotonation:**
- Proton transfer to form the final alcohol.

#### Diagram 3: Reactions of Alcohols

- **Dehydration:**
 - Alcohol → Alkene + H₂O (in presence of acid).
- **Oxidation:**
- Primary Alcohol → Aldehyde → Carboxylic Acid (with strong oxidizing agents).
- Secondary Alcohol → Ketone (with oxidizing agents).
- **Substitution:**
- Alcohol + HX → Alkyl Halide + H₂O.

#### Diagram 4: Reactions of Phenols

- **Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution:**

- Phenol + Electrophile → Substituted Phenol (ortho/para positions).
- **Kolbe’s Electrolysis:**
- Phenoxide ion + CO₂ → Ortho Hydroxybenzoic Acid.
- **Reimer-Tiemann Reaction:**
- Phenol + CHCl₃ + NaOH → Salicylaldehyde.

#### Diagram 5: Williamson Ether Synthesis

1. **Reaction of Alkyl Halide with Sodium Alkoxide:**

- R-X + NaOR' → R-OR' + NaX
- This reaction is typically an SN2 mechanism.
Based on the provided context regarding alcohols, phenols, and ethers, here’s a synthesis of assertions and
reasoning, along with case-based examples that illustrate key concepts related to these compounds.

### Assertion and Reasoning

#### Assertion 1:
**Alcohols, phenols, and ethers are classified based on the number of hydroxyl groups and the hybridization of the
carbon atom to which the hydroxyl group is attached.**

**Reasoning:**
This classification helps in understanding their chemical properties and reactivity. For example, alcohols can be
classified as monohydric, dihydric, or trihydric based on the number of -OH groups. Additionally, alcohols can be
primary, secondary, or tertiary depending on whether the -OH group is attached to a primary, secondary, or tertiary
carbon atom. This classification is crucial for predicting the behavior of these compounds in chemical reactions.

#### Assertion 2:
**The boiling points of alcohols are generally higher than those of ethers and hydrocarbons of comparable
molecular mass.**

**Reasoning:**
This is due to the presence of hydrogen bonding in alcohols, which is absent in ethers and hydrocarbons. The ability
of alcohols to form strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds results in higher boiling points compared to ethers, which
have weaker van der Waals forces. For example, ethanol (C₂H₅OH) has a boiling point of 78.37 °C, while diethyl ether
(C₂H₅OC₂H₅) has a boiling point of 34.6 °C.

#### Assertion 3:
**Phenols are more acidic than alcohols due to the resonance stabilization of the phenoxide ion.**

**Reasoning:**
The -OH group in phenols is attached to an sp² hybridized carbon, which is more electronegative than the sp³
hybridized carbon in alcohols. This increases the polarity of the O-H bond in phenols, making it easier for phenols to
donate a proton. Additionally, when phenol donates a proton, the resulting phenoxide ion is stabilized by resonance,
which delocalizes the negative charge over the aromatic ring. In contrast, the alkoxide ion formed from alcohols does
not benefit from such resonance stabilization.

### Case-Based Examples

 #### Case 1: Preparation of Alcohols
**Scenario:** A chemist wants to prepare butanol from butene.

- **Assertion:** Butanol can be synthesized from butene through acid-catalyzed hydration.

- **Reasoning:** The hydration of butene in the presence of an acid catalyst follows Markovnikov's rule, leading to
the formation of butanol. The mechanism involves the formation of a carbocation intermediate, which is then
attacked by water, followed by deprotonation to yield butanol.

#### Case 2: Reaction of Phenols

**Scenario:** A student is studying the nitration of phenol.

- **Assertion:** Phenol undergoes electrophilic aromatic substitution to yield nitrophenols.

- **Reasoning:** The -OH group activates the aromatic ring towards electrophilic substitution, directing the
incoming nitro group to the ortho and para positions. The reaction proceeds with dilute nitric acid, yielding a mixture
of ortho and para nitrophenols, which can be separated by steam distillation.

#### Case 3: Cleavage of Ethers

**Scenario:** A laboratory technician needs to cleave an ether using hydrogen iodide.

- **Assertion:** Ethers can be cleaved by hydrogen halides to form alkyl halides and alcohols.
- **Reasoning:** The cleavage of ethers occurs under acidic conditions, where the ether is first protonated to form
an oxonium ion. The iodide ion then attacks the least sterically hindered carbon, leading to the formation of alkyl
halides and alcohols. For example, the reaction of ethyl methyl ether with HI will yield ethyl iodide and methanol.

# Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

#### 1. Which of the following is a primary alcohol?

A) 2-Methylpropan-2-ol
B) Butan-1-ol
C) Propan-2-ol
D) 2-Pentanol

**Answer:** B) Butan-1-ol

2. What is the IUPAC name for the compound CH₃CH₂OH?

A) Ethanol
B) Ethyl alcohol
C) Ethane-1-ol
D) All of the above
**Answer:** D) All of the above
3. Which reaction is used to prepare phenol from chlorobenzene?
A) Hydrolysis
B) Nitration
C) Reduction
D) Halogenation
**Answer:** A) Hydrolysis
#### 4. Which of the following compounds is a dihydric alcohol?
A) Methanol
B) Ethylene glycol
C) Glycerol
D) Butanol
**Answer:** B) Ethylene glycol
## 5. What is the main product when ethanol is dehydrated in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid?
A) Ethylene
B) Ethanol
C) Diethyl ether
D) Ethyl bromide
**Answer:** A) Ethylene
# 6. Which of the following statements about phenols is true?
A) Phenols are less acidic than alcohols.
B) The -OH group in phenols is attached to an sp³ hybridized carbon.
C) Phenols can undergo electrophilic aromatic substitution.
D) Phenols do not react with metals.
**Answer:** C) Phenols can undergo electrophilic aromatic substitution.
#### 7. Which of the following methods is used for the preparation of ethers?
A) Dehydration of alcohols
B) Hydrolysis of phenols
C) Nitration of benzene
D) Reduction of ketones
**Answer:** A) Dehydration of alcohols

#### 8. What is the product of the reaction between phenol and bromine water?
A) 2-Bromophenol
B) 2,4,6-Tribromophenol
C) Phenyl bromide
D) No reaction occurs
**Answer:** B) 2,4,6-Tribromophenol
#### 9. Which of the following compounds is an unsymmetrical ether?
A) Diethyl ether
B) Dimethyl ether
C) Ethyl methyl ether
D) Tert-butyl ether
**Answer:** C) Ethyl methyl ether

## 10. What is the effect of increasing the number of carbon atoms on the boiling point of alcohols?
A) Boiling point decreases
B) Boiling point remains the same
C) Boiling point increases
D) Boiling point fluctuates
**Answer:** C) Boiling point increases

11. Which reagent is commonly used to oxidize primary alcohols to aldehydes?

A) KMnO₄
B) PCC (Pyridinium chlorochromate)
C) NaBH₄
D) H₂SO₄
**Answer:** B) PCC (Pyridinium chlorochromate)
#### 12. What type of reaction occurs when alcohols react with hydrogen halides?
A) Elimination
B) Substitution
C) Addition
D) Rearrangement
**Answer:** B) Substitution

#### 13. Which of the following is a characteristic reaction of ethers?

A) Oxidation to form ketones
B) Cleavage with hydrogen halides
C) Dehydration to form alkenes
D) Nitration to form nitro compounds
**Answer:** B) Cleavage with hydrogen halides
#### 14. Which of the following compounds is a trihydric alcohol?
A) Glycerol
B) Ethanol
C) Propanol
D) Butanol
**Answer:** A) Glycerol
#### 15. What is the main product of the Kolbe electrolysis of phenol?
A) Salicylic acid
B) Benzene
C) Phenol
D) Acetic acid
**Answer:** A) Salicylic acid
#### 1. Which of the following is a characteristic of tertiary alcohols?
A) They can be oxidized to carboxylic acids.
B) They do not undergo dehydration easily.
C) They react with hydrogen halides to form alkyl halides rapidly.
D) They are less stable than primary alcohols.
**Answer:** C) They react with hydrogen halides to form alkyl halides rapidly.
#### 2. What is the main product formed when phenol is treated with concentrated nitric acid?
A) Salicylic acid
B) 2-Nitrophenol
C) 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol
D) 4-Nitrophenol
**Answer:** C) 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol
#### 3. Which of the following methods is NOT used for the preparation of phenols?
A) Hydrolysis of diazonium salts
B) Reduction of carboxylic acids
C) Fusion of chlorobenzene with NaOH
D) Sulphonation of benzene followed by hydrolysis
**Answer:** B) Reduction of carboxylic acids
#### 4. What is the effect of increasing the number of hydroxyl groups in alcohols on their boiling points?
A) Boiling point decreases
B) Boiling point remains the same
C) Boiling point increases
D) Boiling point fluctuates
**Answer:** C) Boiling point increases
#### 5. Which of the following compounds is a mixed ether?
A) Diethyl ether
B) Dimethyl ether
C) Ethyl methyl ether
D) Tert-butyl ether
**Answer:** C) Ethyl methyl ether
#### 6. Which reagent is commonly used to convert a primary alcohol to an aldehyde?
A) KMnO₄
B) PCC (Pyridinium chlorochromate)
C) H₂CrO₄
D) NaBH₄
**Answer:** B) PCC (Pyridinium chlorochromate)
#### 7. Which of the following statements about ethers is true?
A) Ethers are more acidic than alcohols.
B) Ethers can form hydrogen bonds with each other.
C) Ethers have higher boiling points than alcohols of similar molecular weight.
D) Ethers are generally less reactive than alcohols and phenols.
**Answer:** D) Ethers are generally less reactive than alcohols and phenols.
#### 8. What type of reaction occurs when phenol reacts with sodium hydroxide?
A) Reduction
B) Electrophilic substitution
C) Nucleophilic substitution
D) Dehydration
**Answer:** B) Electrophilic substitution
#### 9. Which of the following compounds is a benzylic alcohol?
A) 1-Butanol
B) 2-Butanol
C) Benzyl alcohol
D) Cyclohexanol
**Answer:** C) Benzyl alcohol
#### 10. What is the main product when 2-methylpropan-2-ol is dehydrated?
A) 2-Methylpropene
B) 2-Methylpropane
C) Propene
D) 2-Methyl-1-butene
**Answer:** A) 2-Methylpropene
#### 11. Which of the following alcohols is most likely to undergo oxidation to form a ketone?
A) Ethanol
B) 2-Propanol
C) 1-Butanol
D) 2-Methyl-2-butanol
**Answer:** B) 2-Propanol
#### 12. Which of the following is a method for synthesizing ethers?
A) Dehydration of alcohols
B) Hydrolysis of esters
C) Reduction of ketones
D) Nitration of phenols
**Answer:** A) Dehydration of alcohols
#### 13. What is the product of the Kolbe electrolysis of phenol?
A) Salicylic acid
B) Ortho-hydroxybenzoic acid
C) Benzene
D) Acetic acid
**Answer:** B) Ortho-hydroxybenzoic acid
#### 14. Which of the following compounds is a trihydric alcohol?
A) Ethylene glycol
B) Glycerol
C) Propylene glycol
D) Butanol
**Answer:** B) Glycerol
#### 15. What happens when phenol is treated with bromine water?
A) No reaction occurs.
B) Monobromophenol is formed.
C) 2,4,6-Tribromophenol is formed.
D) Bromobenzene is formed.
**Answer:** C) 2,4,6-Tribromophenol is formed.
### Previous Year Questions (PYQs) with Answers
#### 1. **Question:** What is the IUPAC name of the compound CH₃CH₂OH?
**Answer:** Ethanol (or Ethyl alcohol).
2. **Question:** Describe the mechanism of acid-catalyzed hydration of alkenes to form alcohols.
**Answer:** The mechanism involves three steps:
1. **Protonation of Alkene:** The alkene is protonated by an acid to form a carbocation.
2. **Nucleophilic Attack:** Water acts as a nucleophile and attacks the carbocation.
3. **Deprotonation:** A proton is removed from the oxonium ion formed, resulting in the formation of the alcohol.
#### 3. **Question:** How can phenol be prepared from chlorobenzene?
**Answer:** Phenol can be prepared by the hydrolysis of chlorobenzene. Chlorobenzene is treated with sodium
hydroxide at high temperature and pressure (623 K and 320 atm). The sodium phenoxide formed is then acidified to
yield phenol.
#### 4. **Question:** What is the difference between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols?
**Answer:**
- **Primary Alcohols:** The -OH group is attached to a carbon atom that is bonded to only one other carbon atom
(e.g., ethanol).
- **Secondary Alcohols:** The -OH group is attached to a carbon atom that is bonded to two other carbon atoms
(e.g., isopropanol).
- **Tertiary Alcohols:** The -OH group is attached to a carbon atom that is bonded to three other carbon atoms
(e.g., tert-butanol).
---

#### 5. **Question:** Explain the Williamson ether synthesis.

**Answer:** Williamson ether synthesis involves the reaction of an alkyl halide with a sodium alkoxide. The
alkoxide acts as a nucleophile and attacks the electrophilic carbon of the alkyl halide, resulting in the formation of
an ether. This reaction is typically an SN2 mechanism.

---

#### 6. **Question:** What are the physical properties of alcohols that distinguish them from ethers?
**Answer:** Alcohols have higher boiling points than ethers due to the presence of hydrogen bonding between
alcohol molecules. Ethers, lacking hydrogen bonding, have boiling points comparable to hydrocarbons of similar
molecular weight. Additionally, alcohols are generally more soluble in water than ethers due to their ability to form
hydrogen bonds with water.

---

#### 7. **Question:** Describe the acidity of phenols compared to alcohols.

**Answer:** Phenols are more acidic than alcohols due to the resonance stabilization of the phenoxide ion formed
when phenol donates a proton. In phenols, the -OH group is attached to an sp² hybridized carbon, which increases
the polarity of the O-H bond, making it easier to lose a proton compared to alcohols, where the -OH group is
attached to an sp³ hybridized carbon.

---

#### 8. **Question:** What is the main product formed when ethanol is dehydrated in the presence of
concentrated sulfuric acid?
**Answer:** The main product is ethylene (ethene) when ethanol undergoes dehydration at high temperatures
(around 443 K).

---

#### 9. **Question:** How can phenol be synthesized from cumene?

**Answer:** Phenol can be synthesized from cumene (isopropylbenzene) by oxidizing it to cumene hydroperoxide,
which is then acidified to yield phenol and acetone.

---

#### 10. **Question:** What is the product of the Kolbe electrolysis of phenol?
**Answer:** The Kolbe electrolysis of phenol produces ortho-hydroxybenzoic acid (salicylic acid) as the main
product.