Question

Phenol and benzoic acid may be distinguished by

• A. $ NaHCO_3$
• B. $ NaOH $
• C. $ Na $
• D. $ PCl_3 $

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Phenol and benzoic acid can be distinguished by $NaHCO _{3}$ because being stronger acid only benzoic acid reacts with it and phenol does not react. Effervescences of $CO _{2}$ confirms presence of $COOH$ group.


Phenol and benzoic acid react with other reagents $\left( NaOH , Na , PCl _{5}\right.$ ) given as choices.
So, they cannot be used to distinguish them.