Topic 32
Hydroxy
Compounds
Topic 32 at A Level covers phenol (32.2): its reactions with bases and with sodium to give sodium phenoxide, coupling with diazonium salts, nitration with dilute nitric acid to 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol, bromination with bromine water to 2,4,6-tribromophenol, the acidity of phenol and the relative acidities of water, phenol and ethanol, why the conditions differ from those for benzene, the 2-, 4- and 6-directing effect of the hydroxyl group, and the chemistry of other phenolic compounds such as naphthol. The esterification of alcohols with acyl chlorides (32.1.1) is on the acyl chlorides page of Topic 33.
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Phenol Map
Cambridge International AS & A Level Chemistry · Topic 32 Hydroxy compounds
Every reaction on one A4 page: reagents, conditions and reaction type for each arrow, colour coded, with the key tests.
Phenol Summary Map
Cambridge International A Level Chemistry · 32 Phenol
All of phenol on one A4 page: acidity, ring reactions, bromine and nitric acid, and how it compares with benzene.
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32.1.1
- 32.1.1
describe the reaction of alcohols with acyl chlorides to form esters using ethyl ethanoate
32.2.1
- a i
recall the reaction (reagents and conditions) by which phenol can be produced: reaction of phenylamine with HNO2 or NaNO2 and dilute acid below 10 °C to produce the diazonium salt
Revise - a ii
recall the reaction (reagents and conditions) by which phenol can be produced: further warming of the diazonium salt with H2O to give phenol
Revise
32.2.2
- a
recall the chemistry of phenol, as exemplified by the reaction with bases, for example NaOH(aq) to produce sodium phenoxide
Revise - b
recall the chemistry of phenol, as exemplified by the reaction with Na(s) to produce sodium phenoxide and H2(g)
Revise - c
recall the chemistry of phenol, as exemplified by the reaction in NaOH(aq) with diazonium salts, to give azo compounds
Revise - d
recall the chemistry of phenol, as exemplified by nitration of the aromatic ring with dilute HNO3(aq) at room temperature to give a mixture of 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol
Revise - e
recall the chemistry of phenol, as exemplified by bromination of the aromatic ring with Br2(aq) to form 2,4,6-tribromophenol
Revise
32.2.3
32.2.4
32.2.5
32.2.6
32.2.7
- 32.2.7
apply knowledge of the reactions of phenol to those of other phenolic compounds, e.g. naphthol
Revise
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