NEET2015ChemistryAlcohols Phenols and EthersActual
Assertion: Phenol undergoes Kolbe's reaction whereas ethanol does not. Reason : Phenoxide ion is more basic than ethoxide ion.
Options
- AIf both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
- BIfboth assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
- CIf assertion is true but reason is false.
- DIf both assertion and reason are false.
Correct answer
C. If assertion is true but reason is false.
Step-by-step solution
Phenol undergoes Kolbe's reaction (an electrophilic substitution reaction) because conjugate base (phenoxide ion) is less basic than ethoxide ( C ₂ H ₅ O ⁻ ) ion.