Phenol undergoes an acylation reaction known as the Schotten-Baumann reaction. When phenol reacts wi — Alcohols Phenols and Ethers Chemistry Question
Question
Phenol undergoes an acylation reaction known as the Schotten-Baumann reaction. When phenol reacts with acetyl chloride ($CH_3COCl$) in the presence of an aqueous alkali ($NaOH$), what is the major organic product formed?
Answer: B
💡 Solution & Explanation
In the Schotten-Baumann reaction, the phenolic $-OH$ is converted to a phenoxide ion by the alkali, which acts as a strong nucleophile. It attacks the carbonyl carbon of acetyl chloride, eliminating $HCl$ and forming the ester phenyl acetate ($C_6H_5OCOCH_3$).
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