This project is written by

•Youssef abbas
•Youssef tamer
•Youssef eslam
•Abdelrahman Mahmoud
•Marwan hatem
•Mostafa ahmed
•Yahia moaamer
•Mazen mansy
Phenols and
Hydrogenation
Reactions

An Overview of Organic Chemistry

Introduction to Phenols
• Phenols are a class of organic compounds that
consist of a hydroxyl group (-OH) bonded to an
aromatic hydrocarbon group.
• Phenols are known for their distinct chemical
properties compared to alcohols.
Structure and
Properties of Phenols

• Phenols have a hydroxyl group directly

attached to a benzene ring.
• They exhibit unique properties such as:
• - Higher acidity compared to alcohols
• - Ability to form hydrogen bonds
• - Solubility in water due to hydrogen
bonding
Acidic Nature of
Phenols

• Phenols are more acidic than alcohols due to

the stabilization of the phenoxide ion by
resonance.
• Example: Phenol (pKa ~10) vs. Ethanol (pKa
~16)
Reactions of Phenols
• Phenols undergo various reactions such as:
• - Electrophilic aromatic substitution (e.g.,
nitration, halogenation)
• - Oxidation to quinones
• - Formation of ethers and esters
Electrophilic
Aromatic Substitution

• Phenols are highly reactive in

electrophilic aromatic substitution due to
the activating effect of the hydroxyl
group.
• Example: Nitration of phenol to form 4-
nitrophenol and 2-nitrophenol.
Oxidation of Phenols
• Phenols can be oxidized to quinones,
which are important compounds in
biological systems.
• Example: Oxidation of hydroquinone
to p-benzoquinone.
Introduction to
Hydrogenation
• Hydrogenation is the chemical
reaction between molecular hydrogen
(H2) and another compound or
element, usually in the presence of a
catalyst such as palladium, nickel, or
platinum.
Hydrogenation of Alkenes
• Alkenes can be hydrogenated to form alkanes.
• Example: Ethene (C2H4) + H2 ? Ethane (C2H6)
with a nickel catalyst.
Hydrogenation of
Alkynes

• Alkynes can be partially or fully hydrogenated

depending on the conditions and catalysts used.
• Example: Ethyne (acetylene) + H2 ? Ethene
(with Lindlar's catalyst) or Ethane (with excess
H2 and a metal catalyst).
Applications of Hydrogenation
• Hydrogenation is widely used in various
industries:
• - Food industry: Hydrogenation of vegetable oils
to form margarine and shortening.
• - Petrochemical industry: Hydrogenation of coal
and tar to form synthetic fuels.
• - Pharmaceutical industry: Hydrogenation
reactions in the synthesis of drugs.