JEE Main 2026 — Jan 28, Shift 1 — Chemistry solution

JEE Main2026Jan 28, Shift 1Chemistry

Consider the following reaction sequence

Compound (y) develops characteristic colour with neutral FeCl $_{3}$ solution.

Identify the INCORRECT statement from the following for the above sequence.

A
Both compounds x and y will dissolve in NaOH.
B
Compound y will dissolve in NaHCO $_{3}$ and evolve a gas.
C
Compound x is more acidic than compound y.
D
Both compounds x and y will burn with sooty flame.

Solution

From the composition (76.6% C, 6.38% H, VD = 47, so M = 94), Compound (x) is phenol (C $_{6}$ H $_{5}$ OH). Under CO $_{2}$ /NaOH at 120 °C, high pressure (Kolbe-Schmitt) followed by acid work-up, the major product is salicylic acid (2-hydroxybenzoic acid), Compound (y), confirmed by the violet colour with neutral FeCl $_{3}$ .

Evaluate each statement:

(1) Phenol and salicylic acid both have an -OH group and dissolve in NaOH. True.

(2) Salicylic acid (carboxylic acid) reacts with NaHCO $_{3}$ to liberate CO $_{2}$ . True.

(3) Salicylic acid (pKa $\approx$ 3) is significantly more acidic than phenol (pKa $\approx$ 10). So the statement that phenol is more acidic is incorrect.

(4) Both are aromatic and burn with a sooty flame. True.

$∴$ Option (3) is the INCORRECT statement.

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