In the classical Dow process for the industrial synthesis of phenol from chlorobenzene, extreme pres — Alcohols Phenols and Ethers Chemistry Question
Question
In the classical Dow process for the industrial synthesis of phenol from chlorobenzene, extreme pressure is required to overcome the partial double bond character of the $C-Cl$ bond. According to the textbook reference, what is the exact pressure applied in atmospheres ($\text{atm}$)?
Answer: 300
💡 Solution & Explanation
To force the extremely difficult nucleophilic aromatic substitution ($S_NAr$) of the firmly held chlorine atom in chlorobenzene, the Dow process utilizes molten/aqueous $NaOH$ at a high temperature of $623\text{ K}$ and an immense pressure of exactly $300\text{ atm}$.
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