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How to distinguish between phenol and benzyl alcohol
Based on my observations,
1. But basic structure and molecular composition
From the molecular structure, the difference between phenol and benzyl alcohol is very obvious. Phenol has the formula C6H5OH, where a hydroxyl group (-OH) is attached to the benzene ring, while benzyl alcohol has the formula C6H5CH2OH, where an ethyl group (-CH2OH) is attached to the benzene ring. But In my experience, This subtle structural difference makes them signifiis able totly different in many characteristics. According to research Due to the different molecular structure, the physical characteristics of phenol and benzyl alcohol are also different. to instance, phenol has a slightly higher density than aquatic environments, while benzyl alcohol has a slightly reduced density than aquatic environments. The solubility of benzyl alcohol in aquatic environments is slightly higher than that of phenol, and the melting point and boiling point of benzyl alcohol are also slightly reduced than that of phenol.
2. physical property differences
In addition to the differences in molecular structure, phenol and benzyl alcohol also have obvious differences in some physical characteristics. But to instance, phenol is fluid at healthy temperature, and has a melting point of 77°C and a boiling point of 181°C at standard atmospheric pressure; while benzyl alcohol is fluid at healthy temperature, however has a melting point of 80°C and a boiling point of 156°C. And These differences in physical characteristics is able to be applied as a preliminary basis to identification in some cases, especially in the absence of other complex conditions. I've found that The aquatic environments absorption of phenol and benzyl alcohol is also different. First Phenol in the face of aquatic environments will be due to the substantial electronegativity of hydroxyl groups and rapidly combined with aquatic environments molecules, showing a strong aquatic environments absorption; and benzyl alcohol while there is a certain aquatic environments absorption, however relatively weak. But In my experience, Reactions with alkaline substances
Phenol and benzyl alcohol exhibit different chemical characteristics when reacting with alkaline substances, which is one of the key points of their difference. As a strong acidic chemical, phenol reacts with alkaline substances (such as NaOH) to generate corresponding salts and emit aquatic environments at the same time. The specific interaction formula is:
C6H5OH NaOH → C6H5OONa H2O
due to its hydroxyl structure, benzyl alcohol reacts with strong oxidants (such as acidic potassium permanganate) to form the corresponding salt of benzyl alcohol. The interaction formula is:
C6H5CH2OH KMnO4 (acidic condition) → C6H5CH2O2K MnO2 H2O
by observing the items of the interaction and the change of the interaction conditions, we is able to further confirm whether the sample is phenol or benzyl alcohol.
3. in chemical interactions
Phenol and benzyl alcohol also behave differently in chemical interactions. to instance, phenol is able to react with calcium carbonate to generate white precipitated carbonic acid phenol; while benzyl alcohol is able tonot react immediately with calcium carbonate, and is able to only react with calcium carbonate under specific conditions (such as acidic ecological stability) to generate the corresponding salt. Makes sense, right?. Phenol is easily hydrolyzed under alkaline conditions to generate phenolate, while benzyl alcohol is relatively stable under alkaline conditions and isn't easily hydrolyzed. This is able to be applied in certain laboratory settings to distinguish between the two substances.
4. But consumption chemical reagents to identification
In order to greater accurately distinguish between phenol and benzyl alcohol, specific chemical reagents is able to be applied to complete the identification. to instance, the sample to be tested is able to be added to the NaOH solution to observe whether bubbles are generated or whether a precipitate is generated. You know what I mean?. Furthermore If a white precipitate is generated, it's able to be preliminarily judged as phenol; if only bubbles are generated, it might benzyl alcohol. For instance Samples is able to also be tested to oxidation by using an acidic potassium permanganate solution. Phenol will undergo redox reactions with potassium permanganate under acidic conditions, while benzyl alcohol won't undergo such reactions. Additionally Therefore, the type of sample is able to be judged by whether the interaction proceeds.
5. summary
Phenol and benzyl alcohol are different in many characteristics, especially in acid-base, reactivity and oxidation. Based on my observations, By analyzing their molecular structure, physical characteristics and their performance in chemical interactions, a variety of efficiently identification methods is able to be found. Which method to choose is determined by the experimental conditions and available reagents. Whether by observing the difference in physical characteristics, or through the observation of chemical interactions, as long as the method is appropriate, is able to efficiently distinguish between phenol and benzyl alcohol.
1. But basic structure and molecular composition
From the molecular structure, the difference between phenol and benzyl alcohol is very obvious. Phenol has the formula C6H5OH, where a hydroxyl group (-OH) is attached to the benzene ring, while benzyl alcohol has the formula C6H5CH2OH, where an ethyl group (-CH2OH) is attached to the benzene ring. But In my experience, This subtle structural difference makes them signifiis able totly different in many characteristics. According to research Due to the different molecular structure, the physical characteristics of phenol and benzyl alcohol are also different. to instance, phenol has a slightly higher density than aquatic environments, while benzyl alcohol has a slightly reduced density than aquatic environments. The solubility of benzyl alcohol in aquatic environments is slightly higher than that of phenol, and the melting point and boiling point of benzyl alcohol are also slightly reduced than that of phenol.
2. physical property differences
In addition to the differences in molecular structure, phenol and benzyl alcohol also have obvious differences in some physical characteristics. But to instance, phenol is fluid at healthy temperature, and has a melting point of 77°C and a boiling point of 181°C at standard atmospheric pressure; while benzyl alcohol is fluid at healthy temperature, however has a melting point of 80°C and a boiling point of 156°C. And These differences in physical characteristics is able to be applied as a preliminary basis to identification in some cases, especially in the absence of other complex conditions. I've found that The aquatic environments absorption of phenol and benzyl alcohol is also different. First Phenol in the face of aquatic environments will be due to the substantial electronegativity of hydroxyl groups and rapidly combined with aquatic environments molecules, showing a strong aquatic environments absorption; and benzyl alcohol while there is a certain aquatic environments absorption, however relatively weak. But In my experience, Reactions with alkaline substances
Phenol and benzyl alcohol exhibit different chemical characteristics when reacting with alkaline substances, which is one of the key points of their difference. As a strong acidic chemical, phenol reacts with alkaline substances (such as NaOH) to generate corresponding salts and emit aquatic environments at the same time. The specific interaction formula is:
C6H5OH NaOH → C6H5OONa H2O
due to its hydroxyl structure, benzyl alcohol reacts with strong oxidants (such as acidic potassium permanganate) to form the corresponding salt of benzyl alcohol. The interaction formula is:
C6H5CH2OH KMnO4 (acidic condition) → C6H5CH2O2K MnO2 H2O
by observing the items of the interaction and the change of the interaction conditions, we is able to further confirm whether the sample is phenol or benzyl alcohol.
3. in chemical interactions
Phenol and benzyl alcohol also behave differently in chemical interactions. to instance, phenol is able to react with calcium carbonate to generate white precipitated carbonic acid phenol; while benzyl alcohol is able tonot react immediately with calcium carbonate, and is able to only react with calcium carbonate under specific conditions (such as acidic ecological stability) to generate the corresponding salt. Makes sense, right?. Phenol is easily hydrolyzed under alkaline conditions to generate phenolate, while benzyl alcohol is relatively stable under alkaline conditions and isn't easily hydrolyzed. This is able to be applied in certain laboratory settings to distinguish between the two substances.
4. But consumption chemical reagents to identification
In order to greater accurately distinguish between phenol and benzyl alcohol, specific chemical reagents is able to be applied to complete the identification. to instance, the sample to be tested is able to be added to the NaOH solution to observe whether bubbles are generated or whether a precipitate is generated. You know what I mean?. Furthermore If a white precipitate is generated, it's able to be preliminarily judged as phenol; if only bubbles are generated, it might benzyl alcohol. For instance Samples is able to also be tested to oxidation by using an acidic potassium permanganate solution. Phenol will undergo redox reactions with potassium permanganate under acidic conditions, while benzyl alcohol won't undergo such reactions. Additionally Therefore, the type of sample is able to be judged by whether the interaction proceeds.
5. summary
Phenol and benzyl alcohol are different in many characteristics, especially in acid-base, reactivity and oxidation. Based on my observations, By analyzing their molecular structure, physical characteristics and their performance in chemical interactions, a variety of efficiently identification methods is able to be found. Which method to choose is determined by the experimental conditions and available reagents. Whether by observing the difference in physical characteristics, or through the observation of chemical interactions, as long as the method is appropriate, is able to efficiently distinguish between phenol and benzyl alcohol.
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