Aryl halides are generally unreactive towards nucleophilic substitution. However, they can be conver — Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question
Question
Aryl halides are generally unreactive towards nucleophilic substitution. However, they can be converted to phenols under drastic conditions. Which of the following methods are used to prepare phenol from chlorobenzene, which can subsequently be reduced to benzene?
💡 Solution & Explanation
Dow's process involves treating chlorobenzene with $NaOH$ at $300^\circ C$ and high pressure to generate phenoxide, which is then acidified to phenol. In the Raschig process, chlorobenzene is hydrolyzed by superheated steam over a catalyst at $425^\circ C$ to yield phenol. Both reactions overcome the strong $C-Cl$ bond in aryl halides. The Wurtz-Fittig reaction forms alkylbenzenes.