Question

Select the correct option(s) for the reaction given above.

• A. Boiling point order is P > Q
• B. Melting point order is Q > P
• C. Water solubility order is P < Q
• D. Acidic strength order is Q < P

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C)

The correct options are
B Melting point order is Q > P
C Water solubility order is P < Q

When phenol reacts with chloroform in the presence of aqueous $NaOH$ at $340K$ temperature followed by hydrolysis yields $2-hydroxybenzaldehyde$ also called salicylaldehyde.

So, o-salicylaldehyde is a major product. Thus product $P$ is o-salicylaldehyde.

Thus product $Q$ will be p-salicylaldehyde.

The melting point of the para-product is greater than the o-product.

Thus $Q>P$.

Also, the water solubility of the para-product is greater than the ortho-product.

Thus $P<Q$