Question

How do you convert chlorobenzene to phenol?

Answer 1

Conversion of Chlorobenzene to Phenol:

Dow's method:-

• Dow’s method is a process of converting Chlorobenzene into Phenol.
• Chlorobenzene is treated with aqueous Sodium hydroxide at temperatures of 623K and 300atm to obtain the Phenoxide ion.
• This Sodium phenoxide ion is then combined with Dilute Hydrochloric acid to produce the final product as a Phenol.

Step 1: Formation of Phenoxide ion

• The Chlorobenzeen is being reacted with aqueous 6-8% Sodium hydroxide$\left(\mathrm{NaOH}\right)$ at $623\mathrm{K},300\mathrm{atm}$ to form Phenoxide ion.

Step 2: Formation of Phenol

• The Phenoxide ion thus formed is reacted with dilute Hydrochloric acid$\left(\mathrm{HCl}\right)$ to form Phenol.

This conversion of Chlorobenzene to Phenol is a 2 step reaction

Therefore, Chlorobenzene is converted to Phenol using Dow's method.