Question

Cumene to Phenol

Hint:

Cumene hydroperoxide rearranges under acidic conditions to produce phenol and acetone.

Answer 1

Cumene \( (C_6H_5CH(CH_3)_2) \) is converted to phenol by the cumene hydroperoxide process: 
1. Oxidation of Cumene: \[ C_6H_5CH(CH_3)_2 + O_2 \rightarrow C_6H_5C(CH_3)_2OOH \] 
2. Acidic Hydrolysis: \[ C_6H_5C(CH_3)_2OOH \xrightarrow{H^+} C_6H_5OH + CH_3COCH_3 \] Thus, cumene is oxidized to cumene hydroperoxide, which undergoes acid hydrolysis to give phenol and acetone as a byproduct.