Read the following statements regarding the industrial preparation of phenol from cumene: I. Cumene is prepared by the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of benzene with propene. II. Cumene is oxidised in the presence of air to form cumene hydroperoxide. III. The conversion of cumene hydroperoxide to phenol and acetone is carried out by treating it with a strong base. IV. Acetone is obtained in large quantities as a valuable

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Statement I is correct: Cumene (isopropylbenzene) is typically prepared by the Friedel-Crafts alkylation of benzene with propene. Statement II is correct: In the commercial preparation of phenol, cumene is oxidised in the presence of air to form cumene hydroperoxide. Statement III is incorrect: The cleavage of cumene hydroperoxide to yield phenol and acetone is achieved by treating it with dilute acid ( H ^+ ), not a strong base. Statement IV is correct: Acetone is a major by-product of this reaction and is obtaine