Phenols

Phenols

In phenols, the OH group is directly attatched to the benzene ring.

Reactions of Phenol:

• Reactions of phenol are electrophilic substitution reactions
• Phenol is more reactive than benzene, this is because - 
  • the lone pair of electrons from the p-orbitals on the oxygen is delocalised into the ring
  • this increases the electron density
  • a dipole in the electrophile is induced more readily
  • no halogen carriers are required
• The OH group (electron-donating group) directs the incoming electrophile into the 2- and 4- positions
• Bromination of phenol - 
  • reagents - bromine
  • conditions - room temperature
  • …