Why is phenol more reactive than benzene?

Benzene is made from an aromatic ring consisting of 6 carbon atoms and 6 hydrogen atoms, with delocalised electrons in the centre. Phenol has an additional hydroxy (-OH) group on the ring, and the oxygen atom has a lone pair of electrons on it. These electrons are donated into the pool of delocalised electrons, making phenol more electronegative than benzene. This leaves phenol more susceptible to attack by electrophiles than benzene, meaning it is more likely to undergo electrophilic reactions than benzene is.

EL
Answered by Erin L. Chemistry tutor

4802 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Predict whether the lattice energy of magnesium oxide, MgO, is more or less exothermic than the lattice energy of magnesium sulfide, MgS. Justify your answer in terms of the sizes and the charges of the ions involved.


How can you tell what shape a molecule is going to be?


Describe the trend in ionisation energies down group 1.


Why does a catalyst speed up a chemical reaction?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences