a) Name the reagents and write the chemical equation for the preparation of ethoxybenzene by Williamson's synthesis.
b) Why do phenols not undergo protonation reactions readily?
b) Why do phenols not undergo protonation reactions readily?
Solution
(a) Reagents: sodium phenoxide (from phenol + NaOH) and an ethyl halide:
(Use the alkyl halide — an aryl halide will not undergo the S2 step.)
(b) In phenol the oxygen lone pairs are engaged in resonance with the ring, so the electron density on O is low — it accepts a proton only reluctantly.
(Use the alkyl halide — an aryl halide will not undergo the S2 step.)
(b) In phenol the oxygen lone pairs are engaged in resonance with the ring, so the electron density on O is low — it accepts a proton only reluctantly.
CBSE Class 12 Board · 2008 · All India · Subjective