Question

What happens when phenol is oxidised with $N{a}_{2}C{r}_2{O}_7/H^{+}$? Write chemical equation in support of your answer.

Answer 1

When phenol is oxidized with ${Na}_2{Cr}_2{O}_7$ in presence of $H^{+}$ (acid), a conjugated diketone (benzoquinone) is produced.

In the presence of air, phenols are slowly oxidized to dark-colored mixtures containing quinones.