Which reagent is most suitable for the conversion of $\text{phenol}$ to $\text{benzene}$?

Solution

1. Phenol is ${\text{C}}_6{\text{H}}_5\text{OH}$.
2. When heated with zinc dust, the oxygen atom is removed as zinc oxide.
3. The reaction is ${\text{C}}_6{\text{H}}_5\text{OH}+\text{Zn}\stackrel{\Delta }{\to }{\text{C}}_6{\text{H}}_6+\text{ZnO}$.
4. Hence the answer is (A).