Answer: acetone.
- A benzaldehyde
- B benzoic acid
- C acetone
- D methanol
Correct answer: C. acetone
Explanation: Cumene hydroperoxide is cleaved by acid to give phenol and acetone as co-products.
The phenoxide ion's negative charge spreads into the aromatic ring through resonance, lowering its energy and making phenol give up its proton more easily; an alkoxide ion (from a plain alcohol) has nowhere to delocalise the charge, making alcohols far less acidic.
Concept context
Oxygen-containing organic compounds. Understand the acidic nature of phenols, reactions of alcohols (dehydration, oxidation, esterification), and properties of ethers. Includes industrial applications and named reactions.