NEET levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 1 of 3ap094
Phenol is heated with CHClX3 and aqueous NaOH at about 340 K, and the product is acidified with HX3OX+. The main product is
A2-hydroxybenzoic acid
B2-hydroxybenzaldehyde
Cbenzaldehyde
D4-hydroxybenzaldehyde
Answer: B
This is the Reimer-Tiemann reaction: dichlorocarbene from CHClX3/NaOH attacks the phenoxide mainly at the ortho position. Hydrolysis of the −CHClX2 group gives −CHO, so the main product is salicylaldehyde, 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde.