Question

What happens when Phenol reacts with NaOH?

Answer 1

Hint: Phenol has chemical formula ${C_6}{H_5}OH$ and its aqueous solution is weakly acidic in nature while NaOH (sodium hydroxide) is a strong base and hence, the reaction between phenol and sodium hydroxide is an acid-base reaction. It is also known as the neutralization reaction and hence salt and water will be formed.

Complete answer:
Phenol ( ${C_6}{H_5}OH$ ) is considered as weak acid because its aqueous solution is weakly acidic in nature with pH value $5$ to $6$ but is acidity is not enough to turn blue litmus paper red whereas Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is a strong base.
So, we can say that the reaction between phenol and sodium hydroxide is an acid-base reaction which is also known as neutralisation reaction.
We know that, when an acid reacts with a base, the products formed are a salt and a water molecule.
Reaction of phenol with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is given as follows:

Hence, in the above reaction first the strong base NaOH abstract the proton of phenol molecule and then the ion(mild acid) reacts with sodium hydroxide (base) to form sodium phenoxide which is a colourless solution and water molecule,
Therefore, when Phenol reacts with NaOH sodium phenoxide, (a salt) and a water molecule is formed.

Note:
Phenol is also known as carbolic acid and it is an aromatic compound with chemical formula ${C_6}{H_5}OH$ . It is mildly acidic in nature and can react with a base showing its acidic property while Sodium hydroxide is also known as caustic soda and have chemical formula NaOH and is strongly alkaline in nature.