Among the following sets of reactants which one produces anisole?
- CH3CHO ; RMgX
- C6H5OH ; NaOH ; CH3I
- C6H5OH ; neutral FeCl3
- C6H5CH3 ; CH3COCl ; AlCl3
Answer
(2) C6H5OH ; NaOH ; CH3I
Solution
Anisole is methoxybenzene, C6H5OCH3.
As per NCERT (Williamson synthesis), phenol is first converted to sodium phenoxide, which reacts with methyl iodide:
C6H5OH + NaOH C6H5ONa + H2O
C6H5ONa + CH3I C6H5OCH3 + NaI
(1) gives a secondary alcohol, (3) gives a violet colour (test for phenol), (4) gives methylacetophenones (Friedel–Crafts acylation).
Answer: (2)