General reactions of phenols

General Reactions of Phenols (SECTION 540).—(a) With ferric chloride.—Add a dilute aqueous solution of ferric chloride (see note to experiment 197d, above) to dilute aqueous solutions of pyrocatechol, quinol, resorcinol, cresol, a-naphthol, P-naphthol, and pyrogallol. If no color appears, dissolve a little of the substance in alcohol and add a drop of ferric chloride solution. 

—(a) Most phenols give a color when treated with a solution of ferric chloride. The reaction is valuable in testing for compounds of this class. 

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