Property

Phenol (C₆H₅OH)

Alcohol (C₂H₅OH)

Odour

Typical phenolic odour

Pleasant alcoholic odour

Nature, reaction with alkali

Acidic, dissolves in sodium hydroxide forming sodium phenoxide.

Neutral, no reaction with alkalies.

Reaction with neutral FeCl₃

Gives violet colouration due to formation of complex compound.

No reaction.

Reaction with halogen acids

No reaction with halogen acids.

Forms ethyl halides.

Oxidation

Pink or brown colour due to formation of quinone and phenoquinone.

Undergoes oxidation to give acetaldehyde and acetic acid.

Reaction with HCHO

Forms polymer (bakelite).

No reaction.

Liebermann's nitroso reaction

Positive.

Does not show.

Coupling with benzene diazonium chloride

Forms azo dye.

Does not form any dye.

Reaction with PCl_­5

Mainly forms triphenyl phosphate.

Forms ethyl chloride

Iodoform test

Does not show.

Positive.