Q.18 Explain the following with an example.
(i) Kolbe’s reaction.
Kolbe’s reaction: Phenol with carbon dioxide under pressure followed by treating the product with sulphuric acid produces Ortho-hydroxybenzoic acid (salicylic acid). Phenoxide ion generated is more reactive than phenol towards electrophilic aromatic substitution. Hence, it undergoes electrophilic substitution with carbon dioxide, a weak electrophile.