Question

STATEMENT-1: Phenols cannot be converted to esters by direct reaction with carboxylic acids whereas alcohols can.

STATEMENT-2: This is because esterification reaction is exothermic for alcohols but slightly endothermic for phenols.

• A. Both statements are true and STATEMENT-2 is the correct explanation of STATEMENT-1
• B. Both statements are true and STATEMENT-2 is not the correct explanation of STATEMENT-1
• C. STATEMENT-1 is true but STATEMENT-2 is false
• D. STATEMENT-1 is false but STATEMENT-2 is true

Answer 1

The correct option is A Both statements are true and STATEMENT-2 is the correct explanation of STATEMENT-1

Phenol is less nucleophilic than an aliphatic alcohol since its conjugate base, phenoxide ion is stabilisied by resonance and hence the lone pair of electrons are less avialable for an attack.