Question

Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Bromination of phenol in a solvent with low polarity such as CHCl$_3$ or CS$_2$ requires a Lewis acid catalyst.
Statement II: The Lewis acid catalyst polarizes the bromine to generate $\text{Br}^+$.
In light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. Statement I is true but Statement II is false.
• B. Both Statement I and Statement II are true
• C. Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
• D. Statement I is false but Statement II is true.

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Statement I is false but Statement II is true.

Answer 2

Phenol is a highly activated compound and can undergo bromination directly with bromine without any Lewis acid. However, the Lewis acid catalyst indeed polarises the bromine to generate Br+, making Statement II true.
Thus the correct answer is Option 4.