2-chloro-4-methylphenol

Definition

2-chloro-4-methylphenol is a phenol derivative with a chloro group at the 2-position and a methyl group at the 4-position on the benzene ring. It is an important compound in the context of naming alcohols and phenols.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The prefix '2-chloro' indicates that the chloro (-Cl) substituent is located at the 2-position on the benzene ring.
2. The prefix '4-methyl' indicates that the methyl (-CH$_3$) substituent is located at the 4-position on the benzene ring.
3. Phenols are named by identifying the substituents and their positions on the benzene ring, followed by the word 'phenol'.
4. The IUPAC rules for naming phenols require that the hydroxyl (-OH) group be assigned the lowest possible number.
5. Substituents are listed in alphabetical order when there are multiple substituents on the benzene ring.

Review Questions

• Explain the significance of the prefixes '2-chloro' and '4-methyl' in the name 2-chloro-4-methylphenol.
  • The prefixes '2-chloro' and '4-methyl' in the name 2-chloro-4-methylphenol indicate the specific positions of the chloro (-Cl) and methyl (-CH$_3$) substituents on the benzene ring. The '2-' and '4-' refer to the carbon atom numbers where these substituents are located, following the IUPAC rules for naming phenol derivatives. This information is crucial for accurately identifying the structure and understanding the unique properties of this compound.
• Describe how the IUPAC rules for naming phenols are applied in the case of 2-chloro-4-methylphenol.
  • The IUPAC rules for naming phenols state that the hydroxyl (-OH) group must be assigned the lowest possible number. In the case of 2-chloro-4-methylphenol, the hydroxyl group is located at the 1-position on the benzene ring. The chloro (-Cl) and methyl (-CH$_3$) substituents are then named in the order they appear, with the chloro group taking precedence over the methyl group due to the alphabetical order of the substituents. This results in the systematic name 2-chloro-4-methylphenol, which unambiguously identifies the structure of the compound.
• Analyze how the presence and positioning of the chloro and methyl substituents in 2-chloro-4-methylphenol affect the physical and chemical properties of the compound.
  • The presence of the chloro (-Cl) and methyl (-CH$_3$) substituents on the benzene ring of 2-chloro-4-methylphenol can significantly impact the compound's physical and chemical properties. The chloro group, being an electronegative halogen, can increase the acidity of the phenol and influence its reactivity. The methyl group, being an electron-donating substituent, can have the opposite effect, potentially decreasing the acidity of the phenol. Additionally, the positioning of these substituents can affect the steric hindrance and spatial arrangement of the molecule, which can further influence its physical properties, such as boiling point, solubility, and reactivity. Understanding these relationships is crucial for predicting and interpreting the behavior of 2-chloro-4-methylphenol in various chemical contexts.

Related terms

Phenol: A phenol is an aromatic compound with a hydroxyl (-OH) group attached directly to a benzene ring.

Substituent: A substituent is an atom or group of atoms that replaces one or more hydrogen atoms in a parent compound.

Nomenclature: Nomenclature is the system of naming chemical compounds according to established rules and conventions.