Electrophilic subsitution reaction in phenol take place at :

Options

A. p-position
B. m-position
C. o-poisition
D. o-and p-position

Answer

To determine where electrophilic substitution reactions occur in phenol, we need to analyze the structure of phenol and the effect of the hydroxyl (–OH) group on the aromatic ring.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding the Structure of Phenol**:
- Phenol consists of a benzene ring with a hydroxyl (–OH) group attached to it. The structure can be represented as C6H5OH.

2. **Identifying Positions on the Benzene Ring**:
- In the benzene ring, there are three possible positions for substitution: ortho (adjacent to the –OH group), meta (one carbon away from the –OH group), and para (opposite the –OH group).

3. **Resonance and Electron Density**:
- The –OH group is an electron-donating group due to its lone pairs of electrons. This increases the electron density at the ortho and para positions of the benzene ring.
- Through resonance, the lone pairs on the oxygen can delocalize into the ring, enhancing the nucleophilicity of the ortho and para positions.

4. **Electrophilic Substitution**:
- Electrophilic substitution reactions involve the attack of an electrophile on the aromatic ring. Since the ortho and para positions have higher electron density, they are more reactive towards electrophiles compared to the meta position.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, electrophilic substitution reactions in phenol primarily take place at the ortho and para positions due to the increased electron density facilitated by the –OH group.

### Final Answer:
Electrophilic substitution reactions in phenol take place at the ortho and para positions.

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