**Question:** Why are the Bakelite polymer’s phenol molecules substituted only at the ortho and para positions and not the meta positions? **Reaction Mechanism:** Provide the mechanism of the reaction shown below. **Chemical Reaction:** - Reactants: - 2 moles of phenol (aromatic ring with an OH group) - Formaldehyde (HCHO) - Conditions: H₃O⁺/H₂O (acidic aqueous environment) - Product: A complex polymer structure featuring two benzene rings connected by a methylene bridge, each bearing an OH group at positions that suggest ortho/para substitution. **Diagram Explanation:** The chemical structure on the left shows phenol combining with formaldehyde, facilitated by an acidic medium, resulting in a polymeric product with repeated units. This reaction is characteristic of the formation of Bakelite, with substitutions mainly occurring at ortho and para positions relative to the phenolic OH group, due to the electron-donating nature of the hydroxyl group.
**Question:** Why are the Bakelite polymer’s phenol molecules substituted only at the ortho and para positions and not the meta positions? **Reaction Mechanism:** Provide the mechanism of the reaction shown below. **Chemical Reaction:** - Reactants: - 2 moles of phenol (aromatic ring with an OH group) - Formaldehyde (HCHO) - Conditions: H₃O⁺/H₂O (acidic aqueous environment) - Product: A complex polymer structure featuring two benzene rings connected by a methylene bridge, each bearing an OH group at positions that suggest ortho/para substitution. **Diagram Explanation:** The chemical structure on the left shows phenol combining with formaldehyde, facilitated by an acidic medium, resulting in a polymeric product with repeated units. This reaction is characteristic of the formation of Bakelite, with substitutions mainly occurring at ortho and para positions relative to the phenolic OH group, due to the electron-donating nature of the hydroxyl group.
Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...
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pls answer part a and b.

Transcribed Image Text:**Question:**
Why are the Bakelite polymer’s phenol molecules substituted only at the ortho and para positions and not the meta positions?
**Reaction Mechanism:**
Provide the mechanism of the reaction shown below.
**Chemical Reaction:**
- Reactants:
- 2 moles of phenol (aromatic ring with an OH group)
- Formaldehyde (HCHO)
- Conditions: H₃O⁺/H₂O (acidic aqueous environment)
- Product: A complex polymer structure featuring two benzene rings connected by a methylene bridge, each bearing an OH group at positions that suggest ortho/para substitution.
**Diagram Explanation:**
The chemical structure on the left shows phenol combining with formaldehyde, facilitated by an acidic medium, resulting in a polymeric product with repeated units. This reaction is characteristic of the formation of Bakelite, with substitutions mainly occurring at ortho and para positions relative to the phenolic OH group, due to the electron-donating nature of the hydroxyl group.
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