Reaction with Zinc Dust

$$\text{Phenol} + \text{Zn} \xrightarrow{\Delta} \text{Benzene} + \text{ZnO}$$

Concept: Phenol undergoes reduction when heated or distilled with zinc dust. The zinc acts as a strong reducing agent that abstracts the oxygen atom from the hydroxyl group of phenol, converting the aromatic compound directly into benzene.