Pick the correct structure for carbolic acid among the following compounds:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) →
Carbolic acid is the common name for phenol.
Phenol consists of: A benzene ring attached to a hydroxyl group (–OH).
Its formula is C₆H₅OH.
It is called carbolic acid because it was originally obtained from coal tar.
Option 1: CH₃OH This is methanol, an alcohol. Not carbolic acid. Incorrect.
Option 2: CH₃COOH This is acetic acid. Not carbolic acid. Incorrect.
Option 3: H₂CO₃ This is carbonic acid. Not carbolic acid. Incorrect.
Option 4: Benzene ring with –OH group This represents phenol, also known as carbolic acid. Correct.