Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers

CH $\equiv$CH reacts with acetic acid in presence of Hg²⁺ to give CH₃ - CH(CH₃COO)₂.

CH $\equiv$CH + CH₃COOH $\stackrel{{\mathrm{Hg}}^{2+}}{\to }$ CH₂ = $\underset{\mathrm{Vinyl} \mathrm{acetate}}{{\mathrm{CHOOCCH}}_3} \underset{\mathrm{Hg}({\mathrm{OOCCH}}_3{)}_2}{\overset{{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}}{\to }} \underset{\mathrm{Ethylidene} \mathrm{diacetate}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3-\mathrm{CH}({\mathrm{OOCCH}}_3{)}_2}$

Phenol and benzoic acid can be distinguished by NaHCO₃ because only stronger acid reacts with sodium bicarbonate .

Halogenated compounds on treatment with aq. KOH form alcohols. The halogen atom is substituted by= OH group.

${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{CH}\left(\mathrm{Cl}\right){\mathrm{CH}}_2-{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH} \stackrel{\mathrm{aq}. \mathrm{KOH}}{\to }\mathrm{CHCH}\left(\mathrm{OH}\right){\mathrm{CH}}_2-{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{OH}$

HerE OH acts as a nucleophile.

C₂H₅OH or ethanol is a weak acid. Hence, it does not react with NaOH. However, it reacts with metallic sodium.

Propionic acid and KOH reacts to produce potassium propionate.

$\underset{\mathrm{Propionic} \mathrm{acid}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{COOH}} \stackrel{\mathrm{KOH}}{\to } \underset{\mathrm{Potassium} \mathrm{propionate}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3{\mathrm{CH}}_2\mathrm{COOK}} + {\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$

lsopropyl benzene or cumene on air oxidation in presence of dilute acid gives phenol.

m - dinitrobenzene gives only mono - substituted product because - NO₂ group is meta directing group and only one m - position is possiblein m - dinitrobenzene .

Reimer - Tiemann reaction involves refluxing of phenol with chlorofom , and alkali .The main product is salicylaldehyde .In this reaction carbon-carbon bond formation takes place .

Pyrosulphuric acid or H₂S₂O₇ is industrially known as oleum. 

Phenol couples with benzene diazonium chloride in slightly basic medium to form a brillant red coloured azo dye .

p - hydroxy azobenzene (Brillant red dye)