JEE MainChemistryAlcohols Phenols and Ethers
Consider all the aromatic isomers of the molecular formula C ₇ H ₈ O . Let x be the number of isomers that are soluble in aqueous NaOH solution and y be the number of isomers that are insoluble in aqueous NaOH solution. The value of 10x + y is _____.
Correct answer
32
Step-by-step solution
The degree of unsaturation for C ₇ H ₈ O is 7 + 1 - 8 2 = 4 , which corresponds to a benzene ring. The possible aromatic isomers are: 1. o-cresol (2-methylphenol) 2. m-cresol (3-methylphenol) 3. p-cresol (4-methylphenol) 4. Benzyl alcohol (phenylmethanol) 5. Anisole (methoxybenzene) Phenols are sufficiently acidic to dissolve in aqueous NaOH . Thus, the three cresols are soluble in aqueous NaOH . This gives x = 3 . Alcohols and ethers are not acidic enough to dissolve in aqueous NaOH . Thus, benzyl alcohol and anis