Question:

When carbolic acid is heated with concentrated nitric acid in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid, it forms:

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Nitration of phenol with concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid forms picric acid (2,4,6-trinitrophenol).
Updated On: Jan 30, 2026
  • Benzoic acid
  • Picric acid
  • Phthalic acid
  • Benzene sulphonic acid
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Reaction.
Carbolic acid (phenol) reacts with concentrated nitric acid in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid. This is a nitration reaction, where the nitronium ion (NO\(_2^+\)) is generated in the presence of sulfuric acid, and phenol undergoes electrophilic aromatic substitution to form picric acid (2,4,6-trinitrophenol). The reaction introduces three nitro groups (-NO\(_2\)) at positions 2, 4, and 6 of the benzene ring.

Step 2: Analyzing the options.
(A) Benzoic acid: Incorrect. Benzoic acid is not formed in this reaction; it would be formed by oxidizing toluene.
(B) Picric acid: Correct. Picric acid is the product formed by the nitration of phenol with concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid.
(C) Phthalic acid: Incorrect. Phthalic acid is formed by the oxidation of naphthalene, not by nitration of phenol.
(D) Benzene sulphonic acid: Incorrect. This is the product of sulfonation of benzene with sulfuric acid, not nitration.

Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct product formed is Picric acid, corresponding to option (B).
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