Question

Which one of the following, with HBr, will give a phenol?

• A.

  

• B.

  

• C.

  

• D.

  

Hint:

Aromatic ethers react with HBr to undergo nucleophilic substitution, where the bond between the oxygen atom and the alkyl group is broken, yielding phenol and the corresponding alkyl halide.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

The reaction of an aromatic ether with HBr results in the cleavage of the C-O bond, leading to the formation of a phenol. For the compound \( \text{CH}_3\text{C}_6\text{H}_4\text{OCH}_3 \), this cleavage results in the formation of phenol (\( \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{OH} \)) and methyl bromide (\( \text{CH}_3\text{Br} \)). Thus, the correct answer is \( \boxed{(2)} \).