Question:

At low temperature, phenol reacts with dil. \(HNO_3\) to yield

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The –OH group in phenol is an activating, ortho and para directing group. So electrophilic substitution like nitration goes mainly to the ortho and para positions.
Updated On: Jun 16, 2026
  • 2, 4, 6-Trinitrophenol
  • o-Nitrophenol only
  • p-Nitrophenol only
  • ortho- and para-nitrophenol
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Concept:
The –OH group in phenol is an activating, ortho and para directing group. So electrophilic substitution like nitration goes mainly to the ortho and para positions.

Step 1:
With dilute \(HNO_3\) at low temperature, the nitration is mild, so only one –\(NO_2\) group is introduced (mononitration). Strong conditions with conc. \(HNO_3\) would be needed for trinitrophenol, so option (A) is ruled out.

Step 2:
Since –OH directs to both ortho and para, a mixture of o-nitrophenol and p-nitrophenol is formed, not just one of them.

Answer: Option (D) — phenol with dil. \(HNO_3\) at low temperature gives a mixture of ortho- and para-nitrophenol.
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