Cumene on aerial oxidation followed by subsequent acid hydrolysis yields an aromatic product 'A' and an aliphatic byproduct 'B'. Which of the following chemical tests will give a positive result for the aromatic product 'A'?

Step-by-step solution

The commercial preparation of phenol involves the aerial oxidation of cumene (isopropylbenzene) to form cumene hydroperoxide, which upon subsequent acid hydrolysis yields phenol as the aromatic product 'A' and acetone as the aliphatic byproduct 'B'. Phenol contains a phenolic -OH group, which can be identified by the neutral ferric chloride ( FeCl₃ ) test, producing a characteristic violet coloration. The iodoform test would be positive for the aliphatic byproduct (acetone), not the aromatic product. Phenol does no