MDCAT Chemistry MCQ #149

A student is mixing a phenol with an alkali in a laboratory. Which reaction will most likely occur?

MDCAT Chemistry MCQ #149

  1. Question 1

    Q1. A student is mixing a phenol with an alkali in a laboratory. Which reaction will most likely occur?

    • A) Friedel-Crafts acylation with the alkali acting as a catalyst
    • B) Nucleophilic substitution of the phenol with the alkali as the nucleophile
    • C) Electrophilic aromatic substitution of the phenol with the alkali as the electrophile
    • D) Reduction of the alkali to form an alkane

    Answer: Nucleophilic substitution of the phenol with the alkali as the nucleophile

    Explanation: Nucleophilic substitution occurs in the reaction between phenol and an alkali; the other options describe different reaction mechanisms that do not apply here.