Which of the following is a trihydric phenol ?

Options

A. Resorcinol
B. p - cresol
C. phloroglucinol
D. Catechol

Answer

To determine which of the given options is a trihydric phenol, we need to understand what a trihydric phenol is. A trihydric phenol contains three hydroxyl (–OH) groups attached to a benzene ring.

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Trihydric Phenol:**
- A trihydric phenol is a compound that has three hydroxyl (–OH) groups attached to a benzene ring. The presence of three –OH groups is what distinguishes it from dihydric phenols, which only have two.

2. **Analyzing the Options:**
- We have four options to analyze: Resorcinol, Paracresol, Fluoroglucanol, and Catechol.

3. **Checking Resorcinol:**
- Resorcinol (1,3-dihydroxybenzene) has two –OH groups at the 1 and 3 positions of the benzene ring.
- **Conclusion:** Resorcinol is a dihydric phenol, not a trihydric phenol.

4. **Checking Paracresol:**
- Paracresol (4-methylphenol) has one –OH group and one methyl (–CH3) group at the para position.
- **Conclusion:** Paracresol is also not a trihydric phenol.

5. **Checking Fluoroglucanol:**
- Fluoroglucanol (1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene) has three –OH groups at the 1, 3, and 5 positions of the benzene ring.
- **Conclusion:** Fluoroglucanol is a trihydric phenol.

6. **Checking Catechol:**
- Catechol (1,2-dihydroxybenzene) has two –OH groups at the 1 and 2 positions of the benzene ring.
- **Conclusion:** Catechol is a dihydric phenol, not a trihydric phenol.

7. **Final Conclusion:**
- Among the options provided, the only trihydric phenol is **Fluoroglucanol**.

**Answer:** Fluoroglucanol is the trihydric phenol.

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