Question

Which one the following compounds will readily react with dilute NaOH?

• A. C$_6$H$_5$CH$_2$OH
• B. C$_2$H$_5$OH
• C. (CH$_3$)$_3$COH
• D. C$_6$H$_5$OH

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The question asks us to identify which compound would readily react with dilute NaOH. Let's analyze each option:

1. \(C_6H_5CH_2OH\) (Benzyl alcohol): This compound is an alcohol and does not have acidic hydrogen. Alcohols typically do not react with dilute NaOH.
2. \(C_2H_5OH\) (Ethanol): Similar to benzyl alcohol, ethanol is an aliphatic alcohol and does not react with dilute NaOH because there is no acidic hydrogen present.
3. \((CH_3)_3COH\) (Tertiary butanol): This is a tertiary alcohol, which also does not have any acidic hydrogen that could react with NaOH. Therefore, it does not react with dilute NaOH.
4. \(C_6H_5OH\) (Phenol): Phenol contains an -OH group attached to an aromatic ring. The hydrogen in phenol's hydroxyl group is more acidic due to the resonance stabilization of the phenoxide ion that forms during the reaction.

Phenol (\(C_6H_5OH\)) is the compound that will readily react with dilute NaOH, forming phenoxide ion and water. The acidity in phenols arises because of the electron-withdrawing properties of the aromatic ring, making the hydrogen on the hydroxyl group more acidic than in typical alcohols.

The reaction is as follows:

\(C_6H_5OH + NaOH \rightarrow C_6H_5ONa + H_2O\)

Therefore, the correct answer is \(C_6H_5OH\) (Phenol).

Answer 2

Phenol (C$_6$H$_5$OH) reacts readily with dilute NaOH because it is more acidic than water. The reaction is as follows:
\[ \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{OH} + \text{NaOH} \rightarrow \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{O}^- \text{Na}^+ + \text{H}_2\text{O}. \]
The phenoxide ion (C$_6$H$_5\text{O}^-$) formed is stabilized by resonance, making phenol a stronger acid than water.