Chapter 10: Problem 26
What is phenol? Draw its structure and that of 2,4 -dichlorophenol.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Phenol is \( C_6H_5OH \); 2,4-dichlorophenol has \( Cl \) at positions 2 and 4.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding Phenol
Phenol is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula \( C_6H_5OH \). It consists of a phenyl group, \( C_6H_5 \), bonded to a hydroxyl group, \( OH \), which makes it a type of alcohol. It is an important chemical in industrial processes and is also used in medical antiseptics.
02
Drawing the Structure of Phenol
To draw phenol, first outline a hexagon to represent the benzene ring. Each corner of the hexagon represents a carbon atom. Then, attach an \( OH \) group to one of these carbon atoms. The hexagon has alternating single and double bonds between carbon atoms. Thus, phenol's structure includes one \( OH \) group attached to the benzene ring.
03
Understanding 2,4-Dichlorophenol
2,4-Dichlorophenol is a derivative of phenol where two hydrogen atoms on the benzene ring are replaced with chlorine atoms. Specifically, these chlorine atoms are located at positions 2 and 4 relative to the hydroxyl group, based on the IUPAC nomenclature.
04
Drawing the Structure of 2,4-Dichlorophenol
To draw 2,4-dichlorophenol, start with the phenol structure. Then locate the second carbon atom (ortho position) and fourth carbon atom (para position) from the \( OH \) group on the benzene ring to attach the chlorine atoms. The complete structure contains a benzene ring with \( OH \) at position 1, and \( Cl \) atoms at positions 2 and 4.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Aromatic Chemistry
Aromatic chemistry involves the study of aromatic compounds, which are known for their stable ring-like structures and unique chemical behavior. A common feature of these compounds is the benzene ring, a six-carbon cyclic structure with alternating double bonds. This arrangement provides aromatic compounds with enhanced stability, a phenomenon known as resonance stability, where electrons are delocalized over the entire ring. Aromatic compounds are defined by their ability to satisfy Huckel's rule, which states that a molecule is aromatic if it has \\( 4n + 2 \) pi electrons, where \( n \) is a non-negative integer. For benzene, \( n \) equals 1, resulting in 6 pi electrons which provide its aromaticity.
In the context of phenol, it is an aromatic compound because it contains a benzene ring. This benzene component inherently influences phenol’s chemical properties, making it very reactive under certain conditions. Phenols can participate in electrophilic substitution reactions due to the aromatic nature of the benzene ring, where substituents or molecules are added directly to the ring. The stability and reactivity of phenolic compounds make them pivotal in both industrial applications and organic synthesis.
In the context of phenol, it is an aromatic compound because it contains a benzene ring. This benzene component inherently influences phenol’s chemical properties, making it very reactive under certain conditions. Phenols can participate in electrophilic substitution reactions due to the aromatic nature of the benzene ring, where substituents or molecules are added directly to the ring. The stability and reactivity of phenolic compounds make them pivotal in both industrial applications and organic synthesis.
Organic Compounds
Organic compounds are molecules primarily made up of carbon atoms, often bonded with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and other elements. They are the building blocks of life and include a wide range of classes such as alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, and phenols. Organic compounds are characterized by the presence of carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds and can vary in complexity from simple molecules to the intricate structures of biological macromolecules.
Phenol belongs to a specific class of organic compounds known as aromatic alcohols. It incorporates both an aromatic benzene ring and an alcohol functional group, \( OH \). The hydroxyl group in phenol gives it some of the properties of an alcohol, such as hydrogen bonding, which affects solubility and boiling points. However, the aromatic structure imparts distinct properties, enabling phenols to engage in unique chemical reactions compared to regular alcohols. Phenols tend to be more acidic than aliphatic alcohols due to the resonance stabilization of their conjugate base.
Phenol belongs to a specific class of organic compounds known as aromatic alcohols. It incorporates both an aromatic benzene ring and an alcohol functional group, \( OH \). The hydroxyl group in phenol gives it some of the properties of an alcohol, such as hydrogen bonding, which affects solubility and boiling points. However, the aromatic structure imparts distinct properties, enabling phenols to engage in unique chemical reactions compared to regular alcohols. Phenols tend to be more acidic than aliphatic alcohols due to the resonance stabilization of their conjugate base.
Benzene Derivatives
Benzene derivatives are compounds formed by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms on the benzene ring with other atoms or groups. These derivatives play significant roles in both nature and synthetic chemistry due to their versatile chemical properties.
Phenol is a primary example of a benzene derivative where a single hydrogen atom is replaced by a hydroxyl \( OH \) group. This slight change significantly alters its chemical behavior compared to plain benzene. For example, phenol has increased acidity than benzene due to the electron-withdrawing nature of the \( OH \) group. The presence of additional substituents like chlorine, as seen in 2,4-dichlorophenol, can further change the properties and reactivity of the molecule.
2,4-Dichlorophenol is an interesting benzene derivative because it involves substituting two hydrogen atoms with chlorine atoms in the 2 and 4 positions on the benzene ring relative to the \( OH \) group. This arrangement affects its solubility, boiling point, and other physical properties. Benzene derivatives like these are crucial in creating various products, from pharmaceuticals to agrochemicals.
Phenol is a primary example of a benzene derivative where a single hydrogen atom is replaced by a hydroxyl \( OH \) group. This slight change significantly alters its chemical behavior compared to plain benzene. For example, phenol has increased acidity than benzene due to the electron-withdrawing nature of the \( OH \) group. The presence of additional substituents like chlorine, as seen in 2,4-dichlorophenol, can further change the properties and reactivity of the molecule.
2,4-Dichlorophenol is an interesting benzene derivative because it involves substituting two hydrogen atoms with chlorine atoms in the 2 and 4 positions on the benzene ring relative to the \( OH \) group. This arrangement affects its solubility, boiling point, and other physical properties. Benzene derivatives like these are crucial in creating various products, from pharmaceuticals to agrochemicals.
Molecular Structures
The molecular structure is the layout of atoms within a molecule, defining the chemical and physical properties of the compound. The arrangement and type of bonds can significantly change how a molecule behaves.
Understanding the molecular structure of phenol involves recognizing the key components of its molecule: a six-carbon benzene ring and an attached \( OH \) group. The benzene ring is characterized by its hexagonal shape with alternating double bonds, indicating its aromatic nature. This cyclic structure ensures electron delocalization, contributing to phenol's stability.
For compounds like 2,4-dichlorophenol, the molecular structure becomes slightly more intricate. Here, two chlorine atoms replace hydrogen atoms, positioned on the benzene ring in relation to the \( OH \) group. This positioning matters; it dictates how the molecule will interact with other chemicals and influences its reactivity patterns. The orientation and types of substituents in molecular structures provide insights into potential uses and reactions in organic chemistry. Through visualization using chemical diagrams, it becomes easier to predict the behavior and properties of these organic compounds.
Understanding the molecular structure of phenol involves recognizing the key components of its molecule: a six-carbon benzene ring and an attached \( OH \) group. The benzene ring is characterized by its hexagonal shape with alternating double bonds, indicating its aromatic nature. This cyclic structure ensures electron delocalization, contributing to phenol's stability.
For compounds like 2,4-dichlorophenol, the molecular structure becomes slightly more intricate. Here, two chlorine atoms replace hydrogen atoms, positioned on the benzene ring in relation to the \( OH \) group. This positioning matters; it dictates how the molecule will interact with other chemicals and influences its reactivity patterns. The orientation and types of substituents in molecular structures provide insights into potential uses and reactions in organic chemistry. Through visualization using chemical diagrams, it becomes easier to predict the behavior and properties of these organic compounds.
