Phenol is manufactured from hydrocarbon, Cumene. Cumene is chemically:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Isopropyl benzene
Cumene is isopropylbenzene, \( \ce{C6H5CH(CH3)2} \). It is oxidised by air to cumene hydroperoxide, which is converted by dilute acid into phenol and acetone:
\( \displaystyle \ce{C6H5CH(CH3)2 + O2} \xrightarrow{\text{air}} \ce{C6H5C(CH3)2OOH} \)
\( \displaystyle \ce{C6H5C(CH3)2OOH} \xrightarrow{\ce{H+}/\ce{H2O}} \ce{C6H5OH + CH3COCH3} \)
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
From Cumene
