In the Reimer-Tiemann reaction, phenol is refluxed with chloroform and aqueous NaOH to yield salicylaldehyde. What is the active, neutral electrophilic species that attacks the phenoxide ring?

Question

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: C. Chloroform is deprotonated to form the trichloromethyl anion, which rapidly undergoes alpha-elimination of a chloride ion to generate neutral, highly reactive, electron-deficient dichlorocarbene (:CCl2).

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