Question

Does phenol give Friedel crafts reaction?

Answer 1

The Friedel crafts reaction of phenol can be explained as:

1. Like aniline, phenol can also undergo Friedel craft alkylation but harsh conditions like high temperature and pressure are required for Friedel Crafts acylation.
2. This is due to the reason that lone pairs of oxygen atoms in phenol can coordinate with Lewis acid${\mathrm{AlCl}}_3$.
3. Substituents with lone pair usually have poor yield

There are two possible pathways that phenol can undergoes Friedel craft acylation which undermines the overall yield as shown in the diagram:

Therefore, the above diagram shows the minute possibility of Friedel craft reaction of phenol.