Question

Why does phenol undergo electrophilic substitution more easily than benzene?

Answer 1

Hint :Phenol is a chemical organic compound having formula $ {C_6}{H_5}OH $ . It is the common name of the $ {C_6}{H_5}OH $ . The IUPAC name of the phenol is Benzenol having a benzene ring attached with the hydroxyl group or alcohol group.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
First of all, we start with what is called electrophilic substitution.
Electrophilic substitution: The electrophilic substitutions are the reactions in which the hydrogen atom is replaced by any electrophiles.
Now, we will discuss how electrophilic substitution depends:
As the electrophilic substitution in the benzene ring depends upon the substituents present in the benzene ring. As the presence of the electron donating group in the benzene ring, the electron density increases at the ortho- and para- positions of the benzene ring, this results in an increase in the rate of electrophilic substitution.
So, now we discuss the properties of phenol and benzene:
As the phenol has a hydroxyl group in it, hydroxyl group has the electron donating effect increases the electron density at ortho- and para- positions. Also, phenol is having the mesomeric effect, due to the interaction between the lone pairs of the oxygen atom present in the hydroxyl group and the delocalised electrons in the aromatic benzene ring and the carbocation formed are more stable. Benzene is not having any electron donating group or withdrawing group present in it.
Hence, due to the higher stability of the phenol at the intermediate after the electrophilic substitution, the phenol undergoes electrophilic substitution more easily than benzene.

Note :
Electrophiles are the electron deficient species, i.e, they are lacking electrons as a result the electrophiles accept electrons whereas the nucleophiles are the electron donors, they give electrons to the molecules.