Chemistry - GOC Question with Solution | TestHub

Given compound is a substituted cyclohexadienone (non-aromatic) having –OH and –CH₃ groups.

In presence of H⁺, dehydration occurs → –OH gets protonated and leaves as H₂O forming a carbocation.

This carbocation undergoes rearrangement to gain maximum stability (tertiary + resonance stabilized).

Then aromatization takes place because benzene ring formation is highly stable.

During rearrangement, methyl groups shift to give more stable substituted benzene.

Final product becomes a phenol derivative with two –CH₃ groups and two –OH groups.

Among options, only (D) gives most stable aromatic compound with proper substitution.