Why is phenol more easily nitrated than Benzene?

This is due to the -OH phenol functional group, which makes nitrating the molecule easier. Benzene has a delocalised pi-system above and below the plane of the molecule. The result of this is that: it is attacked by electrophiles in an electrophilic substitution reaction. Phenol also has this, but the -OH group has an oxygen atom with 2 lone pairs. One of these lone pairs are partially donated/delocalised into Benzene's pi-system, which increases the electron density across the molecule. This makes Phenol more susceptible to attack from electrophiles than Benzene and hence is more easily nitrated!

GW
Answered by George W. Chemistry tutor

13004 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the difference between benzene and cyclohexene?


What is the difference between 'Electrospray Ionisation' and 'Electron Impact' during the ionisation stage in a mass spectrometer?


Sodium chloride and sodium metal can both conduct electricity under differing conditions. Give the conditions required for each to conduct electricity and explain how each conducts electricity.


What is Hund's rule?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences