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Question: Answered & Verified by Expert
In Kolbe’s reaction, instead of phenol, phenoxide ion is treated with carbon dioxide. Why?
ChemistryAlcohols Phenols and EthersNEET
Options:
  • A Phenoxide ion is more readily available and stable than phenol.
  • B Phenoxide ion is a stronger base and can deprotonate phenol to form the nucleophilic species.
  • C In phenoxide ion, the ability to give a lone pair of electrons to the benzene ring is more in comparison to phenols. Therefore.the reactivity of phenoxide ion towards electrophilic substitution reaction is more in comparison to phenols.Thus, phenoxide ion being a stronger nucleophile reacts easily with CO2, (weak electrophile) than phenols in Kolbe's reaction.
  • D Phenoxide ion is less stable and reacts more readily with carbon dioxide to form the desired product.
Solution:
2041 Upvotes Verified Answer
The correct answer is: In phenoxide ion, the ability to give a lone pair of electrons to the benzene ring is more in comparison to phenols. Therefore.the reactivity of phenoxide ion towards electrophilic substitution reaction is more in comparison to phenols.Thus, phenoxide ion being a stronger nucleophile reacts easily with CO2, (weak electrophile) than phenols in Kolbe's reaction.
Correct Option is : (C)
In phenoxide ion, the ability to give a lone pair of electrons to the benzene ring is more in comparison to phenols. Therefore.the reactivity of phenoxide ion towards electrophilic substitution reaction is more in comparison to phenols.Thus, phenoxide ion being a stronger nucleophile reacts easily with CO2, (weak electrophile) than phenols in Kolbe's reaction.

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