What is the structure of the major product when phenol is treated with bromine water?
What is the structure of the major product when phenol is treated with bromine water?
Solution
Phenol has activating (electron releasing) $-\mathrm{OH}$ group and bromine water supplies $\mathrm{Br}^{+}$ ion easily, hence under such conditions reaction does not stop at monobromo or dibromo stage but a fully brominated $(2,4,6$,-tribromophenol) compound is the final product.
