Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers NEET Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice NEET previous year questions from Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers. These chapter-wise MCQs cover acidity, reactions, mechanisms and tests with answers and clear explanations.
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Alcohols, Phenols & Ethers Chapter Notes
Q1. The compound that is most difficult to protonate is:
(NEET 2019)
- (A) Phenol
- (B) Ethanol
- (C) Ether
- (D) Anisole
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(D)
Show Explanation
In anisole, the lone pair on oxygen is delocalised into the benzene ring by resonance, reducing basicity.
Q2. When vapours of a secondary alcohol are passed over heated copper at 573 K, the product formed is:
(Odisha NEET 2019)
- (A) Carboxylic acid
- (B) Aldehyde
- (C) Ketone
- (D) Alkene
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(C)
Show Explanation
Secondary alcohols undergo dehydrogenation to form ketones.
Q3. The electrophile involved in Reimer–Tiemann reaction is:
(NEET 2018)
- (A) Dichloromethyl cation
- (B) Formyl cation
- (C) Dichloromethyl anion
- (D) Dichlorocarbene
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(D)
Show Explanation
Dichlorocarbene (:CCl2) acts as the electrophile in Reimer–Tiemann reaction.
Q4. Heating phenyl methyl ether with HI gives:
(NEET 2017)
- (A) Iodobenzene
- (B) Phenol
- (C) Benzene
- (D) Ethyl chloride
Show Answer
(B)
Show Explanation
HI cleaves the weaker O–CH3 bond, forming phenol and methyl iodide.
Q5. Which one is the most acidic compound?
(NEET 2017)
- (A) Phenol
- (B) o-Cresol
- (C) p-Nitrophenol
- (D) Alcohol
Show Answer
(C)
Show Explanation
Electron-withdrawing –NO2 group stabilises phenoxide ion, increasing acidity.
Q6. The reaction of sodium alkoxide with alkyl halide to form ether is called:
(NEET 2016)
- (A) Dehydration
- (B) Alcohol formation
- (C) Williamson ether synthesis
- (D) Etard reaction
Show Answer
(C)
Show Explanation
Williamson ether synthesis involves nucleophilic substitution of alkyl halide by alkoxide ion.
Q7. Reaction of phenol with chloroform and NaOH introduces which group?
(NEET 2015)
- (A) –CH2Cl
- (B) –COOH
- (C) –CHCl2
- (D) –CHO
Show Answer
(D)
Show Explanation
Reimer–Tiemann reaction introduces –CHO group at ortho position.
Q8. Which compound will NOT be soluble in NaHCO3?
(NEET 2014)
- (A) Benzoic acid
- (B) Benzenesulphonic acid
- (C) o-Nitrophenol
- (D) 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol
Show Answer
(C)
Show Explanation
Intramolecular hydrogen bonding in o-nitrophenol reduces acidity.
Q9. Which ether gives methyl alcohol on treatment with hot concentrated HI?
(NEET 2013)
- (A) Anisole
- (B) Ethyl methyl ether
- (C) Diphenyl ether
- (D) Diethyl ether
Show Answer
(B)
Show Explanation
HI attacks the smaller alkyl group, producing methanol.
Q10. Number of isomeric alcohols of formula C4H10O giving positive iodoform test is:
(NEET 2013)
- (A) One
- (B) Two
- (C) Three
- (D) Four
Show Answer
(B)
Show Explanation
2-propanol and 2-butanol give positive iodoform test.
Q11. Which compound is used as antifreeze in automobile radiators?
(JEE Main 2012)
- (A) Methanol
- (B) Ethanol
- (C) Ethylene glycol
- (D) Nitrophenol
Show Answer
(C)
Show Explanation
Ethylene glycol lowers freezing point and raises boiling point.
Q12. When glycerol is heated with excess HI, the product formed is:
(JEE Main 2010)
- (A) Allyl iodide
- (B) Propene
- (C) 2-Iodopropane
- (D) Glycerol triiodide
Show Answer
(C)
Show Explanation
Multiple substitutions and rearrangements give 2-iodopropane.
Q13. Which compound reacts fastest with Lucas reagent at room temperature?
(NEET 1989)
- (A) Primary alcohol
- (B) Secondary alcohol
- (C) Tertiary alcohol
- (D) Phenol
Show Answer
(C)
Show Explanation
Tertiary alcohols form stable carbocations immediately.
Q14. Phenol reacts fastest with electrophile due to:
(NEET 1989)
- (A) –I effect
- (B) +R effect
- (C) Steric hindrance
- (D) Hydrogen bonding
Show Answer
(B)
Show Explanation
+R effect of –OH group increases electron density on ring.
Q15. Phenol on reaction with excess bromine water gives:
(NEET 1992)
- (A) o-Bromophenol
- (B) p-Bromophenol
- (C) 2,4-Dibromophenol
- (D) 2,4,6-Tribromophenol
Show Answer
(D)
Show Explanation
Strong activating –OH group causes substitution at all ortho and para positions.
Q16. Primary alcohol on catalytic dehydrogenation gives:
(NEET 1993)
- (A) Acid
- (B) Ketone
- (C) Aldehyde
- (D) Alkene
Show Answer
(C)
Show Explanation
Primary alcohol loses hydrogen to form aldehyde.
Q17. Ethanol has higher boiling point than dimethyl ether due to:
(NEET 1993)
- (A) Hydrogen bonding
- (B) Higher molecular mass
- (C) Dipole moment
- (D) Ether linkage
Show Answer
(A)
Show Explanation
Intermolecular hydrogen bonding is present in ethanol.
Q18. Which alcohol on oxidation gives ketone?
(NEET 1993)
- (A) Primary
- (B) Secondary
- (C) Tertiary
- (D) All
Show Answer
(B)
Show Explanation
Secondary alcohols oxidise to ketones.
Q19. Methanol is industrially prepared by:
(NEET 1992)
- (A) Oxidation of methane
- (B) Reduction of CO with H2
- (C) Fermentation
- (D) Oxidation of ethane
Show Answer
(B)
Show Explanation
CO + 2H2 → CH3OH (industrial method).
Q20. Reaction of sodium phenoxide with ethyl iodide gives:
(NEET 1988)
- (A) Phenol
- (B) Phenetole
- (C) Ethyl alcohol
- (D) Anisole
Show Answer
(B)
Show Explanation
Williamson ether synthesis gives phenetole.
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