JEE Main · Chemistry · Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers
Alcohols and Phenols: JEE Main previous year questions
71 questions in the 108 JEE Main shifts Lumi analysed, in 7 of 8 years. Pattern: Asked most years. 26 came in 2024–26. Here is how it is asked and which ideas come back.
- Questions
- 71
- in 52 of 108 shifts
- Years asked
- 7/8
- last asked 2026
- Weighted estimate
- 0.6
- model; history: 0.5 a shift on average, typically 0.4–0.6
Key findings
- 01
Asked in 7 of 8 years with analysed shifts and in 52 of 108 shifts: 71 questions, #28 of 196 topics.
- 02
44% of its questions since 2020 tested an idea no earlier year had asked; 25 repeated an idea from the year before.
- 03
The most repeated idea is Reimer-Tiemann Reaction, asked 9 times in 9 shifts (2020, 2021, 2022, 2024), most often as “reagent identification”.
- 04
JEE Main has asked 26 of the 46 ideas in this topic; 18 have never been asked, directly or inside another question.
- 05
Mostly asked as diagram based (37%); 15% need a numerical answer, 46% are easy and 3% hard.
- 06
The skill tested most is conceptual (30%), then multi-step (27%).
Questions a shift, year by year
Out of the 25 Chemistry questions in a shift. Years differ in how many shifts Lumi analysed, so each year is scaled to one shift.
Raw count: 2017: 0 in 1 shift · 2020: 6 in 12 shifts · 2021: 15 in 24 shifts · 2022: 15 in 24 shifts · 2023: 9 in 12 shifts · 2024: 18 in 18 shifts · 2025: 3 in 8 shifts · 2026: 5 in 9 shifts.
- Up to 2023
- 0.4
- a shift, of 25
- Since 2024
- 0.6
- 0.2
- Usual gap
- 1.0 yrs
- between years asking it
- Shifts with it
- 52/108
- 48% of analysed shifts
Recent framings
- numerical: moles of product from reactant mass
- predict product of reaction
- numerical: percent change from product identity
Revise first
- Iodoform Test for Specific Alcohols · asked 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
- Alcohol Dehydration Ease · asked 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026
- Phenol Acidity Comparison · asked 2022, 2023, 2024
How it is asked
Difficulty, format and skill
Across all 71 questions on Alcohols and Phenols since 2017.
Difficulty
QUESTIONS- Easy33 · 46%
- Medium36 · 51%
- Hard2 · 3%
Format
SHARE- Diagram based · 26 Q37%
- Single correct · 17 Q24%
- Numerical value · 11 Q15%
- Match the list · 6 Q8%
- Two statements · 5 Q7%
- Other · 4 Q6%
- Assertion–reason · 2 Q3%
Skill tested
SHARE- Conceptual · 21 Q30%
- Multi-step · 19 Q27%
- Application · 16 Q23%
- Recall · 13 Q18%
- Calculation · 1 Q1%
- Diagram reading · 1 Q1%
Repeats
New idea, or one asked before?
Each column is a year. Blue questions tested an idea no earlier year had asked; navy ones went back to an idea from an earlier year. 2017 is the first year, so everything in it counts as new. Heights are question counts, and Lumi analysed 1 to 24 shifts a year, so compare the split inside a column rather than heights across years.
- Idea asked for the first time
- Idea asked in an earlier year
Coverage of the topic
JEE Main has asked 26 of the 46 ideas in this topic. 18 have never been asked yet.
- Asked directly26 · 57%
- Touched inside another question2 · 4%
- Never asked18 · 39%
Ideas come from Lumi’s JEE syllabus map. A never-asked idea is not a safe skip: across all of JEE Main, 22% of questions since 2024 tested an idea no earlier year had asked.
Drill down
Chapter, idea, question
Every idea JEE Main tested in this topic, with its eight years. Open one to read the questions.
24 ideas inside
Squares are the 8 years with analysed shifts, 2017 to 2026. A number is the questions that year when there is more than one; the shade is scaled to one shift, so a year with more analysed shifts (1 to 24 a year) does not look darker. Share is of the level above.
Ideas
Every idea inside this topic
26 different ideas were tested; 13 came more than once.
reagent identification
Diagram based · 9 shifts · 1 numericalassertion-reason on phenol acidity
Diagram based · 8 shiftspredict product of reaction
Diagram based · 7 shifts · 1 numericaltrue statement selection on iodoform test
Numerical value · 5 shifts · 2 numericalidentify intramolecular hydrogen bonding
Single correct · 4 shiftsidentify colour in reaction sequence
Diagram based · 4 shiftsstatement pair on picric acid preparation
Numerical value · 4 shifts · 2 numericalmatch list on organic functional-group tests
Diagram based · 3 shiftsidentify compounds in reaction sequence
Diagram based · 3 shiftscount correct conditions for a reaction
Single correct · 3 shiftsreagent ratio in grignard reaction
Numerical value · 3 shifts · 2 numericalpercent change from product identity
Numerical value · 2 shifts · 1 numericalcount sp2 carbons in product of reaction sequence
Diagram based · 2 shifts · 1 numericalmoles of product from reactant mass
Numerical value · 1 shift · 1 numericalmatch list on reagents for conversions
Match the list · 1 shiftpredict product of reaction
Diagram based · 1 shiftmatch phenol reagents to products
Match the list · 1 shiftpredict product of ring-expansion rearrangement
Single correct · 1 shiftproduct of lialh4 reduction of amide ketone
Diagram based · 1 shiftcumene hydroperoxide formation / product identification
Diagram based · 1 shiftpredict product of reaction sequence
Single correct · 1 shiftidentify example of conjugated diketone
Single correct · 1 shiftpredict product of reaction sequence
Diagram based · 1 shiftsocl2 on polyol with phenolic oh product
Diagram based · 1 shiftpredict product of reaction sequence
Diagram based · 1 shiftpredict product of reaction
Diagram based · 1 shift
| Idea | Years asked | Times | Shifts | Format | Numerical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reimer-Tiemann Reactionreagent identification | 9 | 9 | Diagram basedRecall | 1 | |
| Phenol Acidity Comparisonassertion-reason on phenol acidity | 8 | 8 | Diagram basedConceptual | – | |
| Alcohol Dehydration Easepredict product of reaction | 7 | 7 | Diagram basedApplication | 1 | |
| Iodoform Test for Specific Alcoholstrue statement selection on iodoform test | 5 | 5 | Numerical valueMulti-step | 2 | |
| Hydrogen Bonding Trends in Alcoholsidentify intramolecular hydrogen bonding | 5 | 4 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Phthalein Dye Testidentify colour in reaction sequence | 4 | 4 | Diagram basedRecall | – | |
| Phenol Nitration Reagent Effectsstatement pair on picric acid preparation | 4 | 4 | Numerical valueMulti-step | 2 | |
| Lucas Test Differentiationmatch list on organic functional-group tests | 3 | 3 | Diagram basedMulti-step | – | |
| Dow Process for Phenolidentify compounds in reaction sequence | 3 | 3 | Diagram basedConceptual | – | |
| Phenol Bromination Solvent Effectcount correct conditions for a reaction | 3 | 3 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Grignard Synthesis of Alcoholsreagent ratio in grignard reaction | 3 | 3 | Numerical valueApplication | 2 | |
| Phenol Nitration and Steam Volatilitypercent change from product identity | 2 | 2 | Numerical valueConceptual | 1 | |
| Selective Alcohol Oxidationcount sp2 carbons in product of reaction sequence | 2 | 2 | Diagram basedApplication | 1 | |
| Phenol Reduction by Zinc Dustmoles of product from reactant mass | 1 | 1 | Numerical valueCalculation | 1 | |
| Dow's Process for Phenolmatch list on reagents for conversions | 1 | 1 | Match the listRecall | – | |
| Hydroboration-Oxidation Regiochemistrypredict product of reaction | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedApplication | – | |
| Kolbe's Electrolytic Reactionmatch phenol reagents to products | 1 | 1 | Match the listRecall | – | |
| Acid-Catalyzed Hydration Rearrangementspredict product of ring-expansion rearrangement | 1 | 1 | Single correctMulti-step | – | |
| NaBH4 vs LiAlH4 Chemoselectivityproduct of lialh4 reduction of amide ketone | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedApplication | – | |
| Cumene Hydroperoxide Synthesiscumene hydroperoxide formation / product identification | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedRecall | – | |
| Oxidation of Phenol to Benzoquinonepredict product of reaction sequence | 1 | 1 | Single correctMulti-step | – | |
| Phenol Oxidation to Benzoquinoneidentify example of conjugated diketone | 1 | 1 | Single correctConceptual | – | |
| Concentration-Dependent Phenol Nitrationpredict product of reaction sequence | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedApplication | – | |
| Darzens Halogenation (SOCl2)socl2 on polyol with phenolic oh product | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedApplication | – | |
| Grignard Synthesis of Alcoholspredict product of reaction sequence | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedMulti-step | – | |
| Oxymercuration-Demercuration Regioselectivitypredict product of reaction | 1 | 1 | Diagram basedApplication | – |
Times and shifts count every analysed shift. Across JEE Main, 78% of questions since 2024 went back to an idea an earlier year had asked; the rest were new. All repeated ideas
Every question
Alcohols and Phenols questions, year by year
The newest 40 show their opening words as they appeared in the official paper; older ones name the idea they tested. Open one for its options and the official answer.
JEE Main 20265 questions in 4 shifts
- 4 Apr, Shift 1Q70Identify the colour of compound 'X' in the sequence of the reaction.
Idea: Phthalein Dye Test
MediumDiagram based · figure - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q70Match the LIST-I with LIST-II List-I (Compound): A. [figure: cyclohexane ring bearing OH] B. [figure: cyclohexane ring bearing NH2] C.…
Idea: Lucas Test Differentiation
MediumMatch the list · figure - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q67Consider compounds A, B and C with following structural formulae A = B =…
Idea: Alcohol Dehydration Ease
EasyOther · figure - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q73One mole of phenol is treated with dilute at 298 K to give a mixture of products. The mixture is separated by steam…
Idea: Phenol Nitration and Steam Volatility
MediumNumerical value - 6 Apr, Shift 1Q734.7 g of phenol is heated with Zn to give product X. If this reaction goes to 60% completion then the number of moles of compound X formed…
Idea: Phenol Reduction by Zinc Dust
New ideaEasyNumerical value
JEE Main 20253 questions in 3 shifts
- 3 Apr, Shift 1Q68Number of molecules from below which cannot give iodoform reaction is: Ethanol, Isopropyl alcohol, Bromoacetone, 2Butanol,…
Idea: Iodoform Test for Specific Alcohols
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct - 4 Apr, Shift 2Q67Which among the following compounds give yellow solid when reacted with NaOI/NaOH ? (A) (B)…
Idea: Iodoform Test for Specific Alcohols
Asked the year beforeEasyOther - 7 Apr, Shift 2Q67Match List - I with List - II. List - I (Conversion) | List - II (Reagents, Conditions used) (A) [figure: chlorobenzene to phenol] | (I)…
Idea: Dow's Process for Phenol
New ideaMediumMatch the list · figure
JEE Main 202418 questions in 10 shifts
- 5 Apr, Shift 1Q75For the Compounds : (A) (B) (C)…
Idea: Hydrogen Bonding Trends in Alcohols
Asked the year beforeEasyOther - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q77Given below are two statement : Statements I : Bromination of phenol in solvent with low polarity such as or…
Idea: Phenol Bromination Solvent Effect
EasyTwo statements - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q78Identify compound (Z) in the following reaction sequence. chlorobenzene…
Idea: Dow Process for Phenol
EasyDiagram based · figure - 5 Apr, Shift 1Q89Consider the given chemical reaction sequence : phenol Product A…
Idea: Phenol Nitration Reagent Effects
MediumNumerical value · figure - 5 Apr, Shift 2Q76Which one of the following reactions is NOT possible ?
Idea: Dow Process for Phenol
MediumDiagram based · figure - 6 Apr, Shift 1Q77Given below are two statements : Statement I : Picric acid is 2,4,6 - trinitrotoluene. Statement II : Phenol - 2,4 - disulphonic acid is…
Idea: Phenol Nitration Reagent Effects
EasyTwo statements - 6 Apr, Shift 1Q78In Reimer - Tiemann reaction, phenol is converted into salicylaldehyde through an intermediate. The structure of intermediate is __________.
Idea: Reimer-Tiemann Reaction
EasyDiagram based · figure - 8 Apr, Shift 1Q78Identify the major products A and B respectively in the following set of reactions. [figure: 1-methylcyclohexan-1-ol (ring carbon bearing…
Idea: Alcohol Dehydration Ease
Asked the year beforeMediumDiagram based · figure - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q77Match List - I with List - II. List - I (Reactions) | List - II (Products) (A) aniline () with (i)…
Idea: Reimer-Tiemann Reaction
MediumMatch the list · figure - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q78Which one the following compounds will readily react with dilute NaOH ?
Idea: Phenol Acidity Comparison
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 9 Apr, Shift 1Q77For the given compounds, the correct order of increasing value : (A) phenol (B) 4-nitrophenol ( and OH para…
Idea: Phenol Acidity Comparison
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct · figure - 9 Apr, Shift 2Q78Which of the following compound can give positive iodoform test when treated with aqueous KOH solution followed by potassium hypoiodite.
Idea: Iodoform Test for Specific Alcohols
Asked the year beforeMediumSingle correct · figure - 1 Feb, Shift 2Q63Select the compound from the following that will show intramolecular hydrogen bonding.
Idea: Hydrogen Bonding Trends in Alcohols
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct · figure - 1 Feb, Shift 2Q77Match List - I with List - II. List - I (Reactants) : (A) Phenol, Zn/, (B) Phenol, , NaOH, HCl, (C) Phenol,…
Idea: Kolbe's Electrolytic Reaction
New ideaEasyMatch the list - 1 Feb, Shift 2Q79Which among the followng has highest boiling point ?
Idea: Hydrogen Bonding Trends in Alcohols
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 27 Jan, Shift 1Q74Given below are two statements : Statement (I) : p-nitrophenol is more acidic than m-nitrophenol and o-nitrophenol. Statement (II) :…
Idea: Phenol Acidity Comparison
Asked the year beforeEasyTwo statements - 30 Jan, Shift 2Q76Salicylaldehyde is synthesized from phenol, when reacted with
Idea: Reimer-Tiemann Reaction
EasySingle correct - 30 Jan, Shift 2Q77Products A and B formed in the following set of reactions are B …
Idea: Hydroboration-Oxidation Regiochemistry
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure
JEE Main 20239 questions in 7 shifts
- 6 Apr, Shift 2Q78The strongest acid from the following is
Idea: Phenol Acidity Comparison
Asked the year beforeEasyDiagram based · figure - 6 Apr, Shift 2Q89Among the following, the number of compounds which will give positive iodoform reaction is ______________. (a) 1-Phenylbutan-2-one (b)…
Idea: Iodoform Test for Specific Alcohols
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value - 8 Apr, Shift 1Q75Given below are two statements: One is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R. Assertion A: Butan ol has…
Idea: Hydrogen Bonding Trends in Alcohols
EasyAssertion–reason - 8 Apr, Shift 2Q75A compound 'X' when treated with phthalic anhydride in presence of concentrated yields 'Y'. 'Y' is used as an acid/base…
Idea: Phthalein Dye Test
EasySingle correct - 10 Apr, Shift 2Q77In the reaction given below : [figure: ]…
Idea: NaBH4 vs LiAlH4 Chemoselectivity
New ideaMediumDiagram based · figure - 11 Apr, Shift 1Q90[figure: 4-hydroxybutanal, (y mole)] [figure:…
Idea: Grignard Synthesis of Alcohols
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value · figure - 13 Apr, Shift 1Q76[figure: cyclobutyl ring attached to a carbon bearing OH, which is attached to a cyclopentyl ring] major…
Idea: Acid-Catalyzed Hydration Rearrangements
New ideaHardSingle correct · figure - 13 Apr, Shift 1Q89For the given reaction (the carbon bearing OH is labelled…
Idea: Alcohol Dehydration Ease
Asked the year beforeMediumNumerical value · figure - 13 Apr, Shift 2Q76Given below are two statements, one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R. Assertion A : Order of acidic nature…
Idea: Phenol Acidity Comparison
Asked the year beforeMediumAssertion–reason · figure
JEE Main 202215 questions in 11 shifts
- 25 Jul, Shift 2Q75Arrange the following in decreasing acidic strength. (A) [figure: benzene ring with OH and NO2 para to each other] (B) [figure: benzene…
Idea: Phenol Acidity Comparison
New ideaEasyDiagram based · figure - 26 Jul, Shift 1Q72The difference in the reaction of phenol with bromine in chloroform and bromine in water medium is due to :
Idea: Phenol Bromination Solvent Effect
Asked the year beforeEasySingle correct - 26 Jul, Shift 1Q75Which reactant will give the following alcohol on reaction with one mole of phenyl magnesium bromide (PhMgBr) followed by acidic…
Idea: Grignard Synthesis of Alcohols
MediumOther · figure - 28 Jul, Shift 1Q75Identify the major products A and B for the below given reaction sequence. Benzene…
Idea: Oxidation of Phenol to Benzoquinone
New ideaMediumSingle correct · figure - 29 Jul, Shift 1Q80A compound ‘X’ is acidic and it is soluble in NaOH solution, but insoluble in solution. Compound ‘X’ also gives violet…
Idea: Phenol Acidity Comparison
New ideaEasyDiagram based · figure - 29 Jul, Shift 2 · Q76Alcohol Dehydration EaseAsked the year beforeEasy
- 24 Jun, Shift 1 · Q75Phenol Oxidation to BenzoquinoneNew ideaEasy
- 25 Jun, Shift 1 · Q71Phenol Nitration Reagent EffectsNew ideaMedium
- 25 Jun, Shift 1 · Q76Reimer-Tiemann ReactionAsked the year beforeEasy
- 25 Jun, Shift 1 · Q77Cumene Hydroperoxide SynthesisNew ideaEasy
- 26 Jun, Shift 1 · Q89Phenol Nitration Reagent EffectsNew ideaHard
- 27 Jun, Shift 2 · Q75Reimer-Tiemann ReactionAsked the year beforeMedium
- 29 Jun, Shift 1 · Q80Phenol Acidity ComparisonNew ideaEasy
- 29 Jun, Shift 1 · Q90Iodoform Test for Specific AlcoholsNew ideaEasy
- 29 Jun, Shift 2 · Q89Selective Alcohol OxidationAsked the year beforeMedium
JEE Main 202115 questions in 12 shifts
- 3 Aug, Shift 1 · Q43Oxymercuration-Demercuration RegioselectivityNew ideaEasy
- 3 Aug, Shift 1 · Q45Concentration-Dependent Phenol NitrationNew ideaMedium
- 4 Aug, Shift 1 · Q46Reimer-Tiemann ReactionAsked the year beforeMedium
- 4 Aug, Shift 2 · Q41Alcohol Dehydration EaseAsked the year beforeMedium
- 26 Aug, Shift 2 · Q50Phthalein Dye TestNew ideaEasy
- 31 Aug, Shift 1 · Q46Alcohol Dehydration EaseAsked the year beforeMedium
- 24 Feb, Shift 1 · Q40Phthalein Dye TestNew ideaEasy
- 24 Feb, Shift 1 · Q45Selective Alcohol OxidationNew ideaMedium
- 26 Feb, Shift 1 · Q45Reimer-Tiemann ReactionAsked the year beforeMedium
- 26 Feb, Shift 1 · Q46Phenol Nitration and Steam VolatilityNew ideaEasy
- 26 Feb, Shift 2 · Q43Darzens Halogenation (SOCl2)New ideaMedium
- 22 Jul, Shift 2 · Q45Reimer-Tiemann ReactionAsked the year beforeMedium
- 25 Jul, Shift 1 · Q45Phenol Bromination Solvent EffectNew ideaMedium
- 17 Mar, Shift 1 · Q44Dow Process for PhenolNew ideaEasy
- 18 Mar, Shift 1 · Q44Grignard Synthesis of AlcoholsNew ideaMedium
JEE Main 20206 questions in 5 shifts
- 8 Jan, Shift 2 · Q44Hydrogen Bonding Trends in AlcoholsNew ideaEasy
- 9 Jan, Shift 2 · Q50Grignard Synthesis of AlcoholsNew ideaMedium
- 2 Sep, Shift 2 · Q45Lucas Test DifferentiationNew ideaMedium
- 4 Sep, Shift 1 · Q39Lucas Test DifferentiationNew ideaMedium
- 4 Sep, Shift 1 · Q44Alcohol Dehydration EaseNew ideaMedium
- 6 Sep, Shift 2 · Q50Reimer-Tiemann ReactionNew ideaEasy
Questions from the official JEE Main Paper 1 shifts published by NTA (CBSE for 2017). Questions NTA dropped are left out. Topic and idea tags, counts and notes are Lumi’s.