NEET2026ChemistryChapterActual
Consider the following reaction sequence: Identify the major products P and Q .
Options
- AP = 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid ; Q = 4-Acetoxybenzoic acid
- BP = 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid ; Q = Methyl 2-hydroxybenzoate
- CP = 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid ; Q = 2-Acetoxybenzoic acid
- DP = 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid ; Q = 5-Acetyl-2-hydroxybenzoic acid
Correct answer
C. P = 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid ; Q = 2-Acetoxybenzoic acid
Step-by-step solution
The first step in the reaction sequence is the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction. Phenol reacts with NaOH to form sodium phenoxide. Sodium phenoxide then undergoes electrophilic aromatic substitution with CO ₂ followed by acidification ( H ₃ O ^+ ) to yield salicylic acid as the major product due to the ortho-directing effect and chelation. Therefore, product P is 2-hydroxybenzoic acid (salicylic acid). In the second step, salicylic acid ( P ) reacts with acetic anhydride, ( CH ₃ CO )₂ O , in the presence of an acid catalyst