Question

Phenol on treatment with conc. $HN{O}_3$ gives:

• A. Picric acid
• B. Ortho and meta-nitrophenols
• C. Ortho and para-nitrophenols
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

With concentrated nitric acid, phenol is converted to 2,4,6-trinitrophenol. The product is commonly known as picric acid.

The yield of the reaction product is poor.

Nowadays picric acid is prepared by treating phenol first with concentrated sulphuric acid which converts it to phenol-2,4-disulphonic acid, and then with concentrated nitric acid to get 2,4,6-trinitrophenol.

Option A is correct.