`C_(6)H_(5) OH and C_(6) H_(5) COOH` show difference in the reaction with

Options

A. `NaHCO_(3)`
B. Na metal
C. NaOH
D. Litmus paper

Answer

To differentiate between phenol (C₆H₅OH) and benzoic acid (C₆H₅COOH), we can use sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO₃) as a reagent. Here’s a step-by-step solution to demonstrate the difference in their reactions:

### Step 1: Understanding the Compounds
- **Phenol (C₆H₅OH)**: It is a weak acid.
- **Benzoic Acid (C₆H₅COOH)**: It is a stronger acid compared to phenol.

### Step 2: Reaction with Sodium Bicarbonate
- **Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO₃)**: This is a mild base that reacts with strong acids to produce carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas.

### Step 3: Reaction of Benzoic Acid with Sodium Bicarbonate
1. When benzoic acid reacts with sodium bicarbonate, the following reaction occurs:
\[ \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{COOH} + \text{NaHCO}_3 \rightarrow \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{COO}^- \text{Na}^+ + \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{CO}_2 \uparrow \]
2. In this reaction, carbon dioxide gas is evolved, which can be observed as effervescence.

### Step 4: Reaction of Phenol with Sodium Bicarbonate
1. When phenol reacts with sodium bicarbonate, there is no significant reaction:
\[ \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{OH} + \text{NaHCO}_3 \rightarrow \text{No Reaction} \]
2. Since phenol is a weaker acid, it does not react with sodium bicarbonate to produce carbon dioxide.

### Step 5: Conclusion
- **Observation**: The evolution of CO₂ gas when benzoic acid reacts with NaHCO₃ indicates that it is a stronger acid than phenol, which does not produce any gas when reacted with NaHCO₃.
- **Differentiation**: Thus, we can differentiate between phenol and benzoic acid using sodium bicarbonate; benzoic acid will produce effervescence while phenol will not.