Which of the following compounds will react with sodium hydroxide solution in water ?

Options

A. `C_6H_5OH`
B. `C_6H_5CH_2OH`
C. `(CH_3)_3COH`
D. `C_2H_5OH`

Explanation

To determine which of the given compounds will react with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution in water, we need to analyze the behavior of different types of alcohols and their ability to form stable ions upon reaction with NaOH.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Compounds**: The question presents four types of compounds, which are likely different types of alcohols. We need to evaluate each one for its reactivity with NaOH.

2. **Understand the Reaction**: Alcohols can react with sodium hydroxide to form alkoxide ions. The reaction typically involves the removal of a hydrogen ion (H⁺) from the alcohol and a hydroxide ion (OH⁻) from NaOH, leading to the formation of water and an alkoxide ion.

3. **Analyze Each Compound**:
- **Phenol**: When phenol (C₆H₅OH) reacts with NaOH, it can lose an H⁺ ion to form a phenoxide ion (C₆H₅O⁻). This ion is stabilized by resonance due to the delocalization of electrons in the aromatic ring, making phenol a strong candidate for reaction with NaOH.

- **Benzyl Alcohol**: Benzyl alcohol (C₆H₅CH₂OH) can also react with NaOH to form a benzyl alkoxide ion (C₆H₅CH₂O⁻). However, this ion does not have the same level of resonance stabilization as the phenoxide ion, as the charge is localized on the carbon atom rather than being delocalized over an aromatic system.

- **Tertiary Alcohols**: Tertiary alcohols (like CH₃C(OH)(CH₃)₂) typically do not react with NaOH in the same way as phenol, as they do not form stable alkoxide ions due to steric hindrance and the lack of resonance stabilization.

- **Primary Alcohols**: Primary alcohols (like CH₃CH₂OH) can react with NaOH, but they do not form particularly stable ions compared to phenol.

4. **Determine the Most Reactive Compound**: Among these compounds, phenol is the most reactive with NaOH because it forms a stable phenoxide ion through resonance stabilization.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the compound that will react with sodium hydroxide solution in water is **Phenol**.

### Final Answer:
**Phenol** is the compound that will react with sodium hydroxide solution in water.

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