Alcohols Phenols and Ethers JEE Main previous year questions with solutions

5 solved JEE Main questions on Alcohols Phenols and Ethers, free to read — no sign-in needed. The full chapter has 189 questions; sign in to attempt the remaining 184 in the exam simulator.

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1. Q1JEE Main 2026 (06 Apr, Shift 1)Preparation and Properties of Alcohols
   Arrange the following compounds according to increasing order of boiling points. $n\text{-}\text{C}_4\text{H}_9\text{OH}$ (A), $n\text{-}\text{C}_4\text{H}_9\text{NH}_2$ (B), $n\text{-}\text{C}_4\text{H}_{10}$ (C) and $\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{NHC}_2\text{H}_5$ (D).
   1. A.$C \lt B \lt A \lt D$
   2. B.$D \lt C \lt B \lt A$
   3. C.$C \lt D \lt B \lt A$
   4. D.$D \lt B \lt A \lt C$
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   Answer: (C)

   Boiling point depends on the strength of intermolecular forces. $n\text{-C}_4\text{H}_{10}$ (C) is a nonpolar alkane with only weak van der Waals forces, resulting in the lowest boiling point. $n\text{-C}_4\text{H}_9\text{OH}$ (A) is an alcohol that forms strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds due to the high electronegativity of oxygen, giving it the highest boiling point. Both $n\text{-C}_4\text{H}_9\text{NH}_2$ (B) and $\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{NHC}_2\text{H}_5$ (D) are amines and form hydrogen bonds, which are weaker than those in alcohols because nitrogen is less electronegative than oxygen. Between the primary amine (B) and the secondary amine (D), the primary amine has two $\text{N-H}$ bonds available for hydrogen bonding and less steric hindrance, leading to stronger intermolecular forces and a higher boiling point than the secondary amine. The increasing order of boiling points is $C \lt D \lt B \lt A$. Answer: $C \lt D \lt B \lt A$
2. Q2JEE Main 2025 (23 Jan, Shift 2)Properties of Phenol
   Given below are two statements : Statement (I) : The boiling points of alcohols and phenols increase with increase in the number of C-atoms. Statement (II) : The boiling points of alcohols and phenols are higher in comparison to other class of compounds such as ethers, haloalkanes. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below :
   1. A.Both Statement I and Statement II are false
   2. B.Both Statement I and Statement II are true
   3. C.Statement I is false but Statement II is true
   4. D.Statement I is true but Statement II is false
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   Answer: (B)

   Statement I is correct as boiling point of alcohol phenols increase with increase in the number of C -atoms due to increase in van der Waals forces. Statement II is correct, since alcohols phenols have intermolecular H -bonding therefore their boiling points are higher in comparison to other class of compounds such as ethers, haloalkanes.
3. Q3JEE Main 2024 (31 Jan, Shift 1)Reactions of Alcohols
   Given below are two statements: One is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R: Assertion A: Alcohols react both as nucleophiles and electrophiles. Reason R: Alcohols react with active metals such as sodium, potassium and aluminum to yield corresponding alkoxides and liberate hydrogen. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below:
   1. A.A is false but R is true.
   2. B.A is true but R is false.
   3. C.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
   4. D.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
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   Answer: (D)

   Alcohols as nucleophile:The bond between $O-H$ is broken when an alcohol reacts as a nucleophile. Alcohols as electrophiles:The bond between $C-O$ is broken when alcohols react as electrophiles. Alcohols react with active metals such as sodium, potassium and aluminium to yield corresponding alkoxides and hydrogen. $2R-OH+2Na\rightarrow 2RONa+{H}_{2}$ Assertion (A) and Reason (R) is correct but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation.
4. Q4JEE Main 2021 (18 Mar, Shift 1)Reactions of Carbonyl Compounds
   Match List$-I$ with List$-II:$ List$-I$ (Chemicals) List$-II$ (Use / Preparation / Constituent) (a) Alcoholic potassium hydroxide (i) Electrodes in batteries (b) $Pd/{BaSO}_{4}$ (ii) Obtained by addition reaction (c) $BHC$ (Benzene hexachloride) (iii) Used for $\beta -$elimination reaction (d) Polyacetylene (iv) Lindlar's catalyst Choose the most appropriate match
   1. A.$a-ii,b-i,c-iv,d-iii$
   2. B.$a-iii,b-iv,c-ii,d-i$
   3. C.$a-iii,b-i,c-iv,d-ii$
   4. D.$a-ii,b-iv,c-i,d-iii$
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   Answer: (B)

   (a) Alcoholic potassium hydroxide$\rightarrow$used for $\beta -$elimination (b) $Pd/{BaSO}_{4}\rightarrow$ Lindlar's catalyst (c) $BHC$ (Benzene hexachloride)$\rightarrow$Obtained by addition reactions (d) Polyacetylene$\rightarrow$Electrodes in batteries
5. Q5JEE Main 2014 (19 Apr)Preparation of Ethers
   Williamson synthesis of ether is an example of :
   1. A.Nucleophilic substitution
   2. B.Electrophilic addition
   3. C.Nucleophilic addition
   4. D.Electrophilic substitution
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   Answer: (A)

   The Williamson ether synthesis is the most widely used method to synthesize ethers. It occurs by an ${S}_{N}2$ reaction in which a metal alkoxide displaces a halide ion from an alkyl halide. ${\text{RO}}^{-}+{\text{R}}^{'}-\text{x}\rightarrow _{{\text{S}}_{\text{N}}}\text{R}-\text{O}-{\text{R}}^{'}$ This is Nucleophilic substitution reaction.