Question:

Write the reaction involved in Kolbe's reaction.

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Kolbe's reaction is an important method for preparing salicylic acid from phenol through the intermediate formation of sodium phenoxide.
Updated On: Jun 29, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Concept: Phenol exhibits reactions that are significantly different from those of ordinary alcohols because the hydroxyl group is directly attached to an aromatic ring. The lone pair of electrons on oxygen participates in resonance with the benzene ring, increasing the electron density particularly at the ortho and para positions. When phenol is treated with sodium hydroxide, sodium phenoxide is formed. The phenoxide ion is even more reactive than phenol because the negative charge on oxygen increases the electron density of the aromatic ring through resonance. One of the most important reactions of sodium phenoxide is the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction, commonly known as Kolbe's reaction.

Step 1: Formation of sodium phenoxide Phenol reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium phenoxide. \[ C_6H_5OH + NaOH \rightarrow C_6H_5ONa + H_2O \]

Step 2: Reaction with carbon dioxide Sodium phenoxide is heated with carbon dioxide under pressure. \[ C_6H_5ONa + CO_2 \xrightarrow[4-7\,atm]{373\,K} o\text{-}HOC_6H_4COONa \] The carboxyl group enters predominantly at the ortho position due to activation of the ring by the phenoxide ion.

Step 3: Acidification The sodium salt formed is treated with dilute hydrochloric acid. \[ o\text{-}HOC_6H_4COONa + HCl \rightarrow o\text{-}HOC_6H_4COOH + NaCl \]

Step 4: Product obtained The final product is salicylic acid (2-hydroxybenzoic acid), an important industrial and pharmaceutical compound. \[ \boxed{ o\text{-}HOC_6H_4COOH } \]

Overall Reaction \[ \boxed{ C_6H_5ONa + CO_2 \xrightarrow[4-7\,atm]{373\,K} o\text{-}HOC_6H_4COONa \xrightarrow{H^+} o\text{-}HOC_6H_4COOH } \]
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