An organic compound with the molecular formula C ₆ H ₆ O dissolves in NaOH, gives a characteristic colour with neutral FeCl ₃ and on treatment with bromine water gives a tri bromo derivative. Which is that compound among the following?

Step-by-step solution

The molecular formula C ₆ H ₆ O corresponds to phenol ( C ₆ H ₅ OH ). Phenol is weakly acidic in nature and dissolves in aqueous NaOH to form sodium phenoxide. It reacts with neutral FeCl ₃ to form a complex that gives a characteristic violet colour. On treatment with bromine water, phenol undergoes electrophilic aromatic substitution at both ortho and para positions to yield a white precipitate of 2,4,6-tribromophenol. Thus, the given compound is phenol. Answer: Phenol