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Chemical properties of Alcohols and Phenols

The chemical properties of alcohols and phenols are mainly due to the presence of the hydroxyl functional group. The presence of the aromatic benzene ring provides some characteristic chemical reactions for phenols.
The reactions of -OH groups in alcohols and phenols may be divided into two classes.
1. Reaction involving cleavage of O-H bond
and
2. Reaction involving cleavage of carbon - oxygen (C-O) bond
The reaction involving cleavage of O-H bond consist of
1. Reaction with Metals
2. Reaction with alkali
3. Reaction with carboxylic acids (Esterification)

The reaction involving cleavage of carbon - oxygen (C-O) bond consist of
1. Reaction with hydrogen halides
2. Reaction with phosphorus halides and SOCl2
3. Dehydration  
4. Oxidation  
5. Dehydrogenation

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