Solveeit Logo
Login

Question

Question: An organic compound with molecular formula C7H8O dissolves in NaOH and gives a characteristic colour...

An organic compound with molecular formula C7H8O dissolves in NaOH and gives a characteristic colour with FeCl3. On treatment with bromine, it gives a tribromoderivative, C7H5OBr3. The compound is

A

Benzyl alcohol

B

O-Cresol

C

M-Cresol

D

P-Cresol

Answer

M-Cresol

Explanation

Solution

Since the compound dissolves in NaOH, and gives a characteristic colour with FeCl3, it must be a phenol. Now three phenols having the M.F. C7H8O are o-, m- or p-cresol. Since the compound on treatment with Br2 gives a tribromoderivative, therefore, two o- and one p-position w.r.t. OH group must be free. That is the phenol is m-cresol.

→Br2−H2O\xrightarrow { \mathrm { Br } _ { 2 } - \mathrm { H } _ { 2 } \mathrm { O } }