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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3ap045

Which reagent distinguishes 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (picric acid) from phenol?

Aaqueous $NaHCO X_{3}$ (effervescence)
Bsodium metal
Caqueous $NaOH$ (dissolution)
DLucas reagent

Answer: A

Picric acid is a strong acid (pKa about 0.4) and decomposes

NaHCO X_{3}

with evolution of

CO X_{2}

. Phenol (pKa about 10) is weaker than carbonic acid and does not. Both react with sodium and dissolve in

NaOH

, and neither reacts with Lucas reagent.

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