Phenol on reaction with aqueous solution of bromine gives

Step-by-step solution

The electrophilic aromatic substitution of phenol with aqueous bromine proceeds vigorously due to the strong activating nature of the hydroxyl group, which directs substitution to ortho and para positions. Bromine water acts as both a source of electrophilic Br^+ and a polar protic solvent, enhancing electrophilicity and stabilizing reaction intermediates. All three activated positions—two ortho and one para—undergo substitution, yielding 2,4,6-tribromophenol as a white precipitate. C₆H₅OH + 3Br₂(aq) C₆H₂Br₃OH + 3H