During the Reimer-Tiemann reaction, phenol is converted to salicylaldehyde using chloroform () and aqueous . What is the specific electrophilic intermediate generated in situ that attacks the aromatic

Question

During the Reimer-Tiemann reaction, phenol is converted to salicylaldehyde using chloroform ($CHCl_3$) and aqueous $NaOH$. What is the specific electrophilic intermediate generated in situ that attacks the aromatic ring?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: B. In the Reimer-Tiemann reaction, the strong base () deprotonates chloroform, followed by alpha-elimination of a chloride ion to generate dichlorocarbene (). This neutral, electron-deficient species acts as the active electrophile attacking the electron-rich phenoxide ring.

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