Question

How Do You Convert $\mathrm{Phenol}$ To $\mathrm{chlorobenzene}$?

Answer 1

Conversion of $\mathrm{phenol}$ to $\mathrm{chlorobenzene}$ -

$\mathrm{Phenol}$ on heating with $\mathrm{Zinc}$ dust form $\mathrm{benzene}$ and further reaction with $\mathrm{chlorine}$ followed by ${\mathrm{FeCl}}_3$ gives $\mathrm{chloro}\mathrm{benzene}$

Step 1: First $\mathrm{phenol}$ is reacted with $\mathrm{zinc}$ dust, there is the formation of $\mathrm{benzene}$ which is further reacted in presence of $\mathrm{chlorine}$ gas and $\mathrm{iron}\mathrm{chloride}$ to form $\mathrm{chlorobenzene}.$

$\mathrm{OH}\stackrel{\mathrm{ZINC}\mathrm{DUST}}{\to }\mathrm{Benzene}\stackrel{{\mathrm{Cl}}_2}{\underset{{\mathrm{FeCl}}_3}{\to }}\mathrm{Cl}$

Step-2

When we add powdered$\mathrm{zinc}$dust to $\mathrm{phenol}$, $\mathrm{Zinc}$ will react with $\mathrm{oxygen}$ to form of $\mathrm{zinc}\mathrm{oxide}$.

One of the $\mathrm{chlorine}$ will attach $\mathrm{iron}\mathrm{chloride}$ to form ${\mathrm{FeCl}}_3$ and other $\mathrm{chlorine}$ will attack the $\mathrm{benzene}$ thus, form $\mathrm{chlorobenzene}$.