Question

On distillation with Zn dust, phenol gives :
(a) acetophenone (b) benzoic acid
(c) benzene (d) benzophenone

Answer 1

Distillation under given conditions gives - (c) benzene

Phenol is aromatic compound volatile in nature. It is represented by chemical formula C6H5OH.

Distillation is a process of seperation of volatile compounds on the basis of their boiling points.

Distillation of phenol in presence of zinc dust forms benzene and zinc oxide.

The reaction is given below -

C6H5OH + Zn --> C6H6 + ZnO

C6H5OH is phenol, Zn is zinc dust, C6H6 is benzene and ZnO is zinc oxide.

Answer 2

On distillation with Zn dust,Phenol gives (c)Benzene.

• When phenol is treated with Zn dust and heat then the phenol undergoes reduction and form a structure called benzene with ZnO as the by-product of the reaction.
• Chemical formula of Benzene is C₆H₆.
• Benzene is a aromatic structure with three π bonds.