Preparation of Phenol
Reaction of Benzene Sulfonic Acid with Hydroxide Reaction type : Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution Summary This is a useful industrial method for the synthesis of phenol. Reagents : Usually NaOH, 300-350 o C followed by an acidic work-up to neutralize the phenoxide. This represents the oldest method for the industrial preparation of phenol. The reaction occurs via the addition-elimination mechanism with SO 3 2- functioning as the leaving group.