JEE Main Chemistry question

Bakelite is a condensation polymer of phenol and formaldehyde. The initial step between the two compounds is an example of

(A)Free radical reaction
(B)Aldol condensation
(C)Aromatic nucleophilic substitution
(D)Aromatic electrophilic substitutionCorrect

Answer: (D)

Solution

The initial step in Bakelite formation is the attack of formaldehyde's electrophilic carbonyl carbon onto the electron-rich phenol ring (activated by the strongly activating –OH group) at its ortho/para positions, generating

See the full step-by-step solution

Create a free account to read the complete working, and practise questions like this in a timed test.

Create a free account

Question ID VK-151460