Difference between phenol and alcohol
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Property
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Phenol (C6H5OH)
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Alcohol (C2H5OH)
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Odour
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Typical phenolic odour
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Pleasant alcoholic odour
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Nature, reaction with alkali
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Acidic, dissolves in sodium hydroxide forming sodium phenoxide.
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Neutral, no reaction with alkalies.
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Reaction with neutral FeCl3
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Gives violet colouration due to formation of complex compound.
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No reaction.
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Reaction with halogen acids
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No reaction with halogen acids.
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Forms ethyl halides.
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Oxidation
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Pink or brown colour due to formation of quinone and phenoquinone.
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Undergoes oxidation to give acetaldehyde and acetic acid.
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Reaction with HCHO
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Forms polymer (bakelite).
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No reaction.
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Liebermann's nitroso reaction
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Positive.
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Does not show.
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Coupling with benzene diazonium chloride
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Forms azo dye.
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Does not form any dye.
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Reaction with PCl5
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Mainly forms triphenyl phosphate.
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Forms ethyl chloride
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Iodoform test
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Does not show.
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Positive.
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