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🧪 Chemistry  ·  Haloalkanes & Haloarenes  ·  NEET & JEE

The reaction of chlorobenzene with sodium hydroxide under severe conditions (300°C, high pressure) gives:

Answer: Phenol.

  • A Benzene
  • B Phenol
  • C Aniline
  • D Benzaldehyde

Correct answer: B. Phenol

Explanation: Chlorobenzene undergoes nucleophilic substitution only under drastic conditions (300°C, 200 atm NaOH) to give phenol; this is the Dow process.

SN2: one stepNu-CX-backside attackNuC+ X-Inversion of configuration(Walden inversion)SN1: two stepsCX-slow: leaving group exits+CcarbocationNu-Planar intermediate givesracemisation (both faces attacked)

SN2 proceeds in a single step with backside attack and inversion of configuration, while SN1 forms a planar carbocation intermediate first, leading to racemisation.

Concept context

Study carbon-halogen compounds: how they are made, how they react via SN1/SN2 and elimination, their stereochemistry, and their environmental impact.

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