Question

How do you convert aniline to phenol?

Answer 1

Conversion of Aniline to Phenol:

Step 1: Formation of Diazonium salt

• When aniline is treated with Sodium nitride$\left({\mathrm{NaNO}}_2\right)$ and Hydrochloric acid$\left(\mathrm{HCl}\right)$ it forms a diazonium salt of Benzene diazonium chloride.
• This reaction occurs at the temperature range from 273-278 K.
• The reaction is known as Diazotisation.

Step 2: Formation of Phenol

• When the Benzene diazonium chloride formed is heated with water, they undergo hydrolysis to form Phenol.

This conversion of Aniline to Phenol is a 2 step reaction.

Therefore, Aniline when reacted with Sodium nitride$\left({\mathrm{NaNO}}_2\right)$ and Hydrochloric acid$\left(\mathrm{HCl}\right)$ then followed by water gives us Phenol.