JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3nc077
Coupling of benzenediazonium chloride with phenol is carried out in mildly alkaline solution because
Aalkali converts the diazonium ion into a stronger electrophile
Balkali removes NX2 from the diazonium ion
Cthe phenoxide ion is a far stronger activated nucleophile than phenol
Dphenol is oxidised to quinone in acid
Answer: C
The diazonium ion is only a weak electrophile, so it needs a strongly activated ring. In alkali phenol forms phenoxide, whose negative oxygen donates strongly into the ring, so coupling is rapid at the para position.