Question

Write the equation involved in the following reaction:

Reimer-Tiemann reaction

Explain the following with an example.

Reimer-Tiemann reaction

Write a chemical equation to illustrate the following name reaction:

Reimer-Tiemann reaction

Answer 1

On treating phenol with chloroform in the presence of sodium hydroxide, a -CHO group is introduced at the ortho position of the benzene ring. This reaction is known as the Reimer-Tiemann reaction. The intermediate substituted benzal chloride is hydrolysed in the presence of alkali to produce salicylaldehyde.

Answer 2

Answer 3

Phenol reacts with sodium hydroxide (or KOH) and chloroform in this reaction. 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde is a minor product, while salicylaldehyde is the primary product. Steam distillation can be used to separate it from the p-isomer. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding is responsible for the stability of the p-isomer.