The products formed in the reaction of cumene with O2 followed by treatment with dil. HCl are:
(A)(see structures)AB
(B)(see structure) and CH3−OH
(C)(see structures)AB✓ Correct
(D)(see structures)AB
Answer: (C)
Solution
Cumene, which is isopropylbenzene, is the industrial route to phenol. Air oxidation puts an −OOH group on the benzylic carbon to give cumene hydroperoxide, CX6HX5C(CHX3)X2OOH. Warming this with dilute acid drives a hydroperoxide rearrangement in which the phenyl group migrates to oxygen, and hydrolysis then splits the intermediate into two products: phenol, CX6HX5OH, together with acetone, (CHX3)X2CO.
JEE Main · 2019 · 09 Jan 2019 · Shift 2 · Single correct option