Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Bromination of phenol in a solvent with low polarity such as CHCl\(_3\) or CS\(_2\) requires a Lewis acid catalyst.
Statement II: The Lewis acid catalyst polarizes the bromine to generate \( \text{Br}^+ \).
In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are true
• C. Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
• D. Statement I is false but Statement II is true.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Phenol is a highly activated compound and can undergo bromination directly with bromine without any Lewis acid. However, the Lewis acid catalyst indeed polarises the bromine to generate Br⁺, making Statement II true.
Thus the correct answer is Option 4.