Read the passage carefully and answer the Questions.

Alcohols and phenols are obtained when a hydrogen atom in aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons respectively, is replaced by - OH group. These compounds find wide applications in industry as well as in our daily life. You may notice that ordinary spirit is used for polishing wooden furniture which is chiefly a compound containing hydroxyl group. An alcohol contains one or more hydroxyl (OH) group(s) directly attached to carbon atom(s), of an aliphatic system ($CH_3OH$) while a phenol contains -OH group(s) directly attached to carbon atom(s) of an aromatic system ($C_6H_5OH$). Alcohols are prepared by the hydration of alkenes, fermentation of glucose, and reduction of carbonyl compounds. Alcohols produce alkenes upon dehydration whereas alkenes on acid catalyzed hydration convert into alcohols.

Which of the following compounds lacks phenolic group?

Cyclohexanol

The correct answer is Option (2) → Cyclohexanol **

A phenolic group means a hydroxyl (-OH) group directly attached to an aromatic ring (benzene or similar).

• Quinol (hydroquinone): 1,4-dihydroxybenzene → two phenolic -OH groups.
• Cyclohexanol: Cyclohexane ring with -OH → alcoholic -OH (attached to aliphatic/sp³ carbon, not aromatic).
• Catechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene): Two phenolic -OH groups.
• Picric acid (2,4,6-trinitrophenol): One phenolic -OH group (plus nitro groups).

Thus, Cyclohexanol lacks a phenolic group (it has an alcoholic group instead).

The correct answer is Cyclohexanol.