Consider the following reaction sequence vapour density 47] Compound (y) develops characteristic colour with neutral $\mathrm{FeCl}_{3}$ solution. Identify the INCORRECT statement from the following for the above sequence.

(C) Compound x is more acidic than compound y .

(A) Both compounds x and y will dissolve in NaOH .

(B) Compound y will dissolve in $\mathrm{NaHCO}_{3}$ and evolve a gas.

(D) Both compounds $x$ and $y$ will burn with sooty flame.

JEE Main · 2026 · 28 Jan 2026 · Shift 1 · Alcohols Phenols and Ethers

Consider the following reaction sequence

vapour density 47]
Compound (y) develops characteristic colour with neutral

FeCl_{3}

solution.
Identify the INCORRECT statement from the following for the above sequence.

(A)Both compounds x and y will dissolve in NaOH .
(B)Compound y will dissolve in $NaHCO_{3}$ and evolve a gas.
(C)Compound x is more acidic than compound y .✓ Correct
(D)Both compounds $x$ and $y$ will burn with sooty flame.

Answer: (C)

Solution

The data 76.6% C and 6.38% H with vapour density 47 (molar mass 94) fit

C X_{6} H X_{6} O

, phenol (X). Heating the sodium salt of phenol with

CO X_{2}

under pressure and then acidifying is the Kolbe\textendash Schmitt reaction, which gives salicylic acid (Y); its phenolic

- OH

is what gives the violet colour with neutral

FeCl X_{3}

. Both phenol and salicylic acid carry an acidic

- OH

and dissolve in

NaOH

; salicylic acid also carries a

- COOH

, so it dissolves in

NaHCO X_{3}

with effervescence of

CO X_{2}

; and both, being aromatic, burn with a sooty flame. The carboxylic acid group, however, makes salicylic acid a stronger acid than phenol, so the statement that X is more acidic than Y is the incorrect one.

JEE Main · 2026 · 28 Jan 2026 · Shift 1 · Single correct option

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JEE Main · 2026 · 28 Jan 2026 · Shift 1 · Alcohols Phenols and Ethers

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