In the industrial preparation of phenol via the cumene process, cumene hydroperoxide undergoes compl — Alcohols Phenols and Ethers Chemistry Question
Question
In the industrial preparation of phenol via the cumene process, cumene hydroperoxide undergoes complete acidic cleavage. Along with phenol, what is the exact identity of the valuable equimolar co-product formed?
Answer: C
💡 Solution & Explanation
The acidic cleavage of cumene hydroperoxide involves the protonation of the peroxide oxygen and migration of the phenyl ring. The cumyl skeleton breaks cleanly into exactly one mole of phenol and one mole of acetone ($CH_3COCH_3$).
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