Question

Which of the following statement(s) is/are true about picric acid?

• A. Picric acid is obtained in less quantity during the reaction of phenol with conc. $HNO _{3}$
• B. It is also prepared by treating phenol with conc. $H _{2} SO _{4}$ followed by conc. $HNO _{3}$
• C. Both (a) and (b)
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

When phenol directly reacts with conc. $HNO _{3}$, it gets first converted into quinone because conc. $HNO _{3}$ oxidises phenol. Hence, picric acid obtained is low in yield.

Picric acid can also be prepared by treating phenol with conc. $H _{2} SO _{4}$ (which converts it to phenol-2,4-disulphonic acid) and then with concentrated nitric acid.