Suggest why Phenol is more reactive than Benzene in Electrophillic Substitution

With phenol, the oxygen atom is directly attached to the delocolised pi system in phenol, as a result the lone pair on this oxygen is incorporated into this delocolised pi system in phenol, increasing it's electron density.Therefore making it more susceptible to electrophillic attack, where the electrophile (which is electron deffiecient, is attracted to high areas of electron density. Whereas the delocolised pi system in benzene is not as electron rich, and is less suseptible to electrophillic attack, and substitution goes at a much slower rate

Answered by Hayden C. Chemistry tutor

1966 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the difference between pH and pKa?


Which molecule has the highest boiling point: methane, ammonia, water or hydrogen fluoride? Explain why.


Why does phenol readily undergo electrophilic substitution but benzene does not without the aid of a catalyst?


Describe how to perform a flame test to identify an unknown compound.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences