A Comparison of Alcohols and Phenols

Because they have the same functional group, alcohols and phenols have many similar properties. But whereas it is relatively easy, with acid catalysis, to break the C—OH bond of alcohols, this bond is difficult to break in phenols. Protonation of the phenolic hydroxyl group can occur, but loss of a water molecule would give a phenyl cation. 

PROBLEM 7.18 Compare the reactions of cyclohexanol and phenol with a. HBr b. H2SO4, heat 

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