See image — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

# Solution: Reaction of Phenol with $CCl_4$ in KOH **Step 1: Identify the reaction type** This is the **Reimer-Tiemann reaction** — a classical organic synthesis where phenols react with $CCl_4$ under basic conditions. **Step 2: Mechanism outline** - KOH deprotonates phenol to form phenoxide ion ($Ph-O^-$) - $CCl_4$ undergoes nucleophilic attack by the phenoxide, generating a dichlorocarbene intermediate ($:CCl_2$) - The carbene inserts into the ortho position of the benzene ring **Step 3: Intermediate formation** $$Ph-O^- + CCl_4 \rightarrow Ph-O-CCl_2 + Cl^-$$ The dichlorocarbene rearranges and hydrolyzes in the basic aqueous medium. **Step 4: Final product** The insertion followed by hydrolysis and oxidation of the intermediate aldehyde group yields: $$\boxed{\text{Salicylic acid } (2\text{-hydroxybenzoic acid)}}$$ **Why not other options:** - (A) Salicyl aldehyde: Aldehyde group is oxidized further to carboxylic acid - (C) Methyl salicylate: No methylation occurs under these conditions - (D) Benzyl chloride: Different reaction pathway **Answer: (B) Salicylic acid** ✓