Testing for Phenol and derivatives

• A purple complex will be formed with \(Fe^{3+}\) in a neutral solution

• Iron(III) Chloride

Ester formation from Phenols and Acid Anhydrides

• Alkaline conditions

\[\begin{aligned} C_6H_5OH+(CH_3CO)_2O\Rightarrow CH_3COOC_6H_5+CH_3COOH\\ \text{Phenol}+\text{Ethanoic Anhydride}\Rightarrow \text{Phenyl Ethanoate}+\text{Ethanoic Acid}\\\end{aligned}\]

Phenols will not react with carboxylic acids to produce esters.

Esterification of Salicylic Acid

There are two ways to esterify salicylic acid.

Esterification of the \(OH\) group

• Gives Aspirin

• Esterified with acid anhydride

• Fairly soluble

Esterification of the \(COOH\) group

• Gives Oil of Wintergreen

  • Methyl-2-hydroxybenzoate

• Esterified with alcohol

• Typically methanol