Question

Give the structures and IUPAC names of monohydric phenols of molecular formula C₇H₈O.

Answer 1

The given molecular formula is C₇H₈O. As it is given that it is a phenol, the basic structure will be:

This structure accounts for C₆H₆O. When the remaining CH₂ is added to phenol, it forms the compounds shown below.

2-Methylphenol (o-cresol)

3-Methylphenol (m-cresol)

4-Methylphenol (p-cresol)