Question
What happens when phenol reacts with bromine water?
MHT CET
Chemistry
Alcohols Phenols and Ethers
2026
MHT CET 2026 (15 April Shift 1)
MHT CET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution
Options
- A. Brown coloured liquid is obtained
- B. Colourless gas evolves
- C. White precipitate formed
- D. Pink colored solution is obtained
Answer
C. White precipitate formed
Step-by-step solution
Phenol reacts with bromine water to undergo electrophilic aromatic substitution at all ortho and para positions due to the strong activating effect of the -OH group in aqueous medium. The reaction yields 2,4,6-tribromophenol, which appears as a white precipitate. C_6H_5OH + 3Br_2 (aq) 2,4,6-tribromophenol + 3HBr Answer: White precipitate formed
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