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Grade 12Organic Chemistry

distinguishing test between phenol and benzoic acid
can they be distinguished by FeCl3 test

Profile image of suvidhi mehta
8 Years agoGrade 12
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1 Answer

Profile image of Arun
ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer8 Years ago
Yes. They can be distinguished by FeCl3 test.Phenol reacts with neutral FeCl3 to form an iron-phenol complex giving violet colouration. But benzoic acid reacts with neutral FeCl3 to give a buff coloured ppt. of ferric benzoate.