Chemistry Alcohols & Phenols DUHS 2022
PMDC Verified Question 46 of 95
Phenol when subjected to nitration product is:
A
o - nitro phenol
B
p - nitro phenol
C
o - nitro phenol & m - nitro phenol
D
o - nitro phenol & p - nitro phenol
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option D: o - nitro phenol & p - nitro phenol
Concept:

The hydroxyl (-OH) group on a benzene ring is a strongly activating, ortho/para-directing group due to the resonance donation of its lone pairs.

Formula:

Not applicable to this conceptual question.

Solution:

  • When phenol undergoes standard (dilute) electrophilic nitration, the incoming electrophile (\(\text{NO}_2^+\)) is directed to the electron-rich positions.


  • These are the ortho (2) and para (4) positions.


  • Thus, a mixture of o-nitrophenol and p-nitrophenol is obtained.


Why other options are incorrect:

The -OH group strictly does not direct to the meta position because resonance does not increase electron density there. Therefore, option C is incorrect, and A and B are incomplete on their own.

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