NEET Chemistry · Chapter-wise PYQs

Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers NEET PYQs (2005–2026) with Solutions

Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers has appeared in 20 of the 22 NEET and AIPMT papers from 2005 to 2026, with 44 questions in all: about 2.0 per paper on average. The last five papers (2022–2026) had 14 questions from it.

The most-asked topics are Alcohols (16), Phenols (8) and Ethers (7).

NEET MIND's syllabus map rates Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers as high weightage: about 2 questions (8 marks) in a NEET paper.

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Free account: 15 PYQs from Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers with explanations and progress tracking. Premium unlocks all 44.

PYQs in this chapter
44
Papers it appeared in
20 of 22
Average per paper
2.0
NEET weightage
High

10 solved Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers PYQs

Real NEET and AIPMT questions from this chapter, newest first. Try each one, then open the answer and the step-by-step explanation.

  1. Question 1 (NEET 2026)

    NEET 2026HardPreparation Methods
    Match List I with List II: Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
    1. Option A: A–II, B–III, C–I, D–IV
    2. Option B: A–II, B–III, C–IV, D–I
    3. Option C: A–II, B–IV, C–III, D–I
    4. Option D: A–I, B–III, C–IV, D–II
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: (B) A–II, B–III, C–IV, D–I

    Explanation

    Cumene → phenol uses O₂/H₂O; CH₃COOH → CH₃CH₂OH via esterification then hydrogenation; CH₃CH₂CH₂OH → CH₃CH(OH)CH₃ via dehydration then hydration; benzene → phenol through sulfonation, fusion with NaOH and acidification. Hence option (B) is correct.

  2. Question 2 (NEET 2026)

    NEET 2026EasyPhenols
    The functional group that can be identified through phthalein dye test is:
    1. Option A: Aldehyde
    2. Option B: Phenolic
    3. Option C: Carboxylic acid
    4. Option D: Alcohol
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: (B) Phenolic

    Explanation

    Phenols react with phthalic anhydride in presence of concentrated H₂SO₄ to form phenolphthalein, which turns pink in NaOH solution. Hence option (B) is correct.

  3. Question 3 (NEET 2026)

    NEET 2026MediumElectrophilic substitution and separation techniques
    Two products X and Y are formed in the following reaction sequence. The suitable method that can be used for separation of products X and Y is:
    1. Option A: Fractional distillation
    2. Option B: Sublimation
    3. Option C: Differential extraction
    4. Option D: Continuous extraction
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: (A) Fractional distillation

    Explanation

    Benzene forms toluene, which on nitration gives ortho- and para-nitrotoluene. These isomers have different boiling points and can be separated by fractional distillation under reduced pressure. Hence option (A) is correct.

  4. Question 4 (NEET 2025)

    NEET 2025MediumGrignard Reagent Reactions of Ketones
    The major product of the following reaction is :
    1. Option A: Option (1)
    2. Option B: Option (2)
    3. Option C: Option (3)
    4. Option D: Option (4)
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: (B) Option (2)

    Explanation

    Excess CH₃MgBr reacts first with the ketone group and also with the nitrile group. After acidic hydrolysis, the nitrile converts into a ketone while the original ketone becomes a tertiary alcohol. Therefore, the major product formed is the hydroxy ketone shown in option (B).

  5. Question 5 (NEET 2025)

    NEET 2025MediumReduction of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
    Identify the suitable reagent for the following conversion.
    1. Option A: (i) LiAlH₄, (ii) H⁺/H₂O
    2. Option B: (i) AlH(iBu)₂, (ii) H₂O
    3. Option C: (i) NaBH₄, (ii) H⁺/H₂O
    4. Option D: H₂ / Pd-BaSO₄
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: (B) (i) AlH(iBu)₂, (ii) H₂O

    Explanation

    The reaction converts an ester into an aldehyde. Diisobutylaluminium hydride (DIBAL-H), represented as AlH(iBu)₂, selectively reduces esters to aldehydes under controlled conditions followed by hydrolysis. Hence option B is correct.

  6. Question 6 (NEET 2024)

    NEET 2024MediumAlcohols
    Which one of the following alcohols reacts instantaneously with Lucas reagent?Which one of the following alcohols reacts instantaneously with Lucas reagent?
    1. Option A: Option 1
    2. Option B: Option 2
    3. Option C: Option 3
    4. Option D: Option 4
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: (B) Option 2

    Explanation

    Lucas reagent distinguishes alcohols based on the stability of carbocations formed. Tertiary alcohols react instantaneously with Lucas reagent. Among the given compounds: (CH3)3COH(CH_3)_3COH is a tertiary alcohol. Hence, option (B) is correct.

  7. Question 7 (NEET 2024)

    NEET 2024MediumAlcohols
    Intramolecular hydrogen bonding is present in:
    1. Option A: Compound (1)
    2. Option B: Compound (2)
    3. Option C: Compound (3)
    4. Option D: Compound (4)
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: (C) Compound (3)

    Explanation

    Intramolecular hydrogen bonding occurs when hydrogen bond donor and acceptor groups are present within the same molecule at suitable positions. In o-nitrophenol (compound 3), the –OH group and –NO₂ group are adjacent, enabling intramolecular hydrogen bonding. HF shows intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Hence, option (C) is correct.

  8. Question 8 (NEET 2024)

    NEET 2024MediumAlcohols
    Major products A and B formed in the following reaction sequence are:
    1. Option A: Option 1
    2. Option B: Option 2
    3. Option C: Option 3
    4. Option D: Option 4
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: (C) Option 3

    Explanation

    PBr₃ converts the alcohol group into bromide via substitution, giving bromocyclohexane derivative A. On treatment with alcoholic KOH and heat, β-elimination (E2) occurs to form the more stable alkene (Zaitsev product). Thus A is bromo derivative and B is 3-methylcyclohexene, corresponding to option (C). The official answer key for NEET UG 2024 (T1) lists Q86 → 3.

  9. Question 9 (NEET 2023)

    NEET 2023MediumAlcohols
    Consider the following reaction and identify the product (P).
    1. Option A: Option 1
    2. Option B: Option 2
    3. Option C: Option 3
    4. Option D: Option 4
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: (A) Option 1

    Explanation

    3-Methylbutan-2-ol reacts with HBr via carbocation formation followed by rearrangement to form the more stable tertiary carbocation. Bromide attack then gives 2-bromo-2-methylbutane as the major product.

  10. Question 10 (NEET 2023)

    NEET 2023MediumEthers
    Consider the following reaction: Consider the following reaction:
    1. Option A: Option 1
    2. Option B: Option 2
    3. Option C: Option 3
    4. Option D: Option 4
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: (C) Option 3

    Explanation

    The given compound is benzyl phenyl ether. Ethers react with HI under heating to undergo cleavage. In aryl-alkyl ethers, the alkyl-oxygen bond breaks because the aryl-oxygen bond has partial double bond character due to resonance. Therefore, benzyl iodide (C6H5CH2I) and phenol (C6H5OH) are formed.

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