Benzene undergoes bromination followed by fusion with NaOH at 623 K and 300 atm, and then treatment with dilute HCl to give compound X.
X is further treated with NaNO2/H+ to give products P and Q. How can P and Q be separated?
Options:

Simple Distillation
Fractional Distillation
Steam Distillation
Sublimation

Question

Benzene undergoes bromination followed by fusion with NaOH at 623 K and 300 atm, and then treatment with dilute HCl to give compound X.
X is further treated with NaNO2/H+ to give products P and Q. How can P and Q be separated?
Options:

Simple Distillation
Fractional Distillation
Steam Distillation
Sublimation

Shiksha Nation · Accepted Answer

Solution:
Benzene reacts with Br2/FeBr3 to form bromobenzene.
Bromobenzene on treatment with NaOH at high temperature and pressure gives phenol.
Phenol reacts with nitrous acid generated from NaNO2/HCl, producing o-nitrosophenol and p-nitrosophenol.
The ortho isomer forms intramolecular hydrogen bonding and is steam volatile. The para isomer forms intermolecular hydrogen bonding and is less volatile.
Hence the mixture is separated by steam distillation.
Answer:
Steam Distillation (Option 3)

Verified Answer