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JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3ap159

Three isomers X, Y and Z of formula CHO are examined. X gives a violet colour with neutral and consumes 3 mol of per mole with excess bromine water. Y does not react with sodium or with . Z reacts with sodium but gives no colour with , and PCC oxidises it to benzaldehyde. X, Y and Z are

  1. A3-methylphenol, phenylmethanol, methoxybenzene
  2. B3-methylphenol, methoxybenzene, phenylmethanol
  3. C2-methylphenol, phenylmethanol, methoxybenzene
  4. D4-methylphenol, methoxybenzene, phenylmethanol

Answer: B

Violet colour shows X is a cresol. Tribromination (three free positions ortho/para to : 2, 4, 6) occurs only for 3-methylphenol, whereas 2- and 4-methylphenol have only two such positions. Y with no acidic or group is the ether methoxybenzene, and Z, a primary alcohol oxidised to benzaldehyde, is phenylmethanol.
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