Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers for NEET UG
Alcohols, phenols and ethers all contain C–O bonds, yet they behave very differently. Learn their preparation, acidity and the reactions NEET asks about most.
ChemistryClass 1276 MCQs2 lessons13 flashcards3 memory tricks
Practise Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers free
What you'll learn
- Alcohols: preparation and reactions
Prepare alcohols, tell 1°, 2° and 3° alcohols apart, and predict oxidation and dehydration products. - Phenols and ethers
Explain why phenol is acidic, predict ring substitution, and recall ether reactions.
Key formulas
| Acid strength | carboxylic acid > phenol > water > alcohol |
|---|
Memory tricks
With conc. HCl + ZnCl₂, 3° alcohols turn cloudy immediately, 2° in about 5 minutes, and 1° not at room temperature.
Phenol > water > ethanol in acidity. Nitro groups at ortho/para increase it further; picric acid (2,4,6-trinitrophenol) is strongly acidic.
R–O⁻Na⁺ + R'–X (1°) → R–O–R'. With 3° halides, elimination wins.
Try 3 NEET-style questions
Q1. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is made by acetylating
- salicylic acid
- phenol
- benzoic acid
- salicylaldehyde
Show answer
Answer: (1) salicylic acid
Salicylic acid (2-hydroxybenzoic acid) reacts with acetic anhydride to acetylate its phenolic –OH, forming aspirin.
Q2. Among ethanol, phenol, water and p-nitrophenol, the weakest acid is
- Phenol
- Water
- p-Nitrophenol
- Ethanol
Show answer
Answer: (4) Ethanol
Ethanol is weaker than water; phenols are more acidic than both.
Q3. Propene undergoes hydroboration–oxidation (B₂H₆, then H₂O₂/OH⁻). The product is
- propan-2-ol
- propan-1-ol
- propanal
- propane-1,2-diol
Show answer
Answer: (2) propan-1-ol
Boron adds to the less substituted carbon, and oxidation replaces it with –OH. The net result is anti-Markovnikov addition of water, giving propan-1-ol.
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