Benzene ring in phenol is expected to give the characteristic substitution or replacement reactions i.e. halogenation, nitration, sulphonation, alkylation etc. In these reactions, the attacking reagent is electrophile. The phenolic group activates the ortho and para positions in the ring due to conjugation. Disubstitution reactions are quite fast as the electron density in the ring has increased considerably. Phenols do not respond to nucleophilic substitution reactions as it is influenced by phenolic group.

Minor product in above reaction is:

1. A A
2. B B
3. C A and B in same quantity
4. D Depends on quantity of X