Question

Which of the following is NOT a phenol ?

• A.

  

• B.

  

• C.

  

• D.

  

Hint:

A phenol has an OH group bonded directly to a carbon of an aromatic ring.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Rule
Ask for each structure: is the carbon that carries the OH part of the aromatic ring?

Step 2: Go through the four
Option (A): yes, the OH is on the ring, with a nitro group ortho to it. Option (B): yes, OH is on the second ring carbon of naphthalene. Option (C): yes, OH on the ring, with a Br ortho. Option (D): no, the OH carbon is a $\text{CH}_2$ attached to the ring.

Step 3: Reasoning
Phenols are acidic because the phenoxide ion is stabilised by resonance with the ring. In benzyl alcohol the oxygen is insulated from the ring by the $\text{CH}_2$, so it behaves like an ordinary alcohol.

Step 4: Answer
Option (D) is not a phenol.

Final Answer:
Benzyl alcohol is not a phenol. This is option (D). \[ \boxed{\text{(D) }\text{Benzyl alcohol}} \]