In the formation of Bakelite, the initial reaction between phenol and formaldehyde is

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Electrophillic substitution

Nucleophillic substitution

Nucleophillic addition

Electrophillic addition

answer is A.

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Detailed Solution

Bakelite is obtained by the condensation reaction of phenol with formaldehyde in the presence of either an acid or a base catalyst.
The reaction starts with the initial formation of o-and/or p-hydroxymethylphenol derivatives, which further react with phenol to form compounds having rings joined to each other through–CH₂ groups.
Phenol has -OH in the aromatic ring and thus, involves in conjugation. It behaves as an ortho/para directing group.
As formaldehyde behaves as an electrophile, it attacks at ortho/para positions on phenol.

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