Question

What happens when phenol is treated with conc hno3?

Answer 1

With concentrated nitric acid, phenol (OH) more nitro groups substitute around the ring of phenol (OH) to give it 2-4-6-trinitrophenols which turns it into a solution called picric acid.

Answer 2

Answer: It will lead to the formation of picric acid.

Explanation:

Phenol is an aromatic alcohol. When this compound is treated with concentrated nitric acid, it leads to the formation of a bright yellow colored compound known as picric acid.

This compound has 3 nitro groups attached at 2, 4 and 6 positions. The chemical name for this compound is 2,4,6-tri-nitro phenol.

The chemical equation for this compound is:

$\text{Phenol}+conc.HNO_3\rightarrow \text{Picric acid}$