Question:

What will be the major product when m-cresol is reacted with propargyl bromide (HC\(\equiv\)C–CH2Br) in presence of K2CO3 in acetone?

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K2CO3 converts the phenol to phenoxide, which does a Williamson-type O-alkylation with propargyl bromide.
Updated On: Nov 11, 2026
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

m-Cresol is 3-methylphenol. K2CO3 is a mild base that deprotonates the phenolic OH to give the phenoxide ion.
The phenoxide ion is a good nucleophile and attacks the CH2 carbon of propargyl bromide in an SN2 (Williamson ether synthesis) reaction in polar aprotic acetone, displacing Br-.
Product: 1-methyl-3-(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)benzene, the aryl propargyl ether with CH3 meta to the O-CH2-C≡CH group.
Options (2), (3) and (4) are ring C-propargylated free phenols (Claisen-type products that need heat) and are not formed here. Option (1) shows the ether.
Answer: (1) the aryl propargyl ether (m-CH3-C6H4-O-CH2-C≡CH)
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