Explain why Phenol is more reactive than Benzene with bromine water.

To answer this we must look at the structure of both. Phenol has an OH group attached whilst benzene has no side groups. The OH is electron donating, the P orbital on the Oxygen overlaps with the delocalised system of the benzene ring, increasing its electron density, making it a stronger nucleophile and more prone to electrophilic attack.

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