Phenol also called as carbolic acid, is a weak acidic aromatic organic compound with molecular formula C6H5OH, and is soluble in ethanol, ether and somewhat soluble in water.
Property:
Phenol is corrosive and semi-volatile in nature. Pure phenol is a white crystalline solid, smelling of disinfectant. It has to be handled with great care because it causes immediate white blistering to the skin. The crystals are wet and discoloured.
Specifications:
| CAS Registry Number | 108-95-2 |
| Synonyms | Benzenol, hydroxybenzene, monophenol, oxybenzene, phenyl alcohol, phenyl hydrate, phenyl hydroxide |
| Trade names | Carbolic acid, phenic acid, phenic alcohol |
| Melting point | 43℃ |
| Boiling point | 181.8℃ |
| Molecular weight | 94.12 |
Uses:
Phenol is mainly used in Plywood & Laminates, Agro, Pharma, Perfumery derivatives, industrial sectors as moulding component and in many areas of phenolic resins. The other important use of phenol is as a feedstock for phenol, bisphenol A and caprolactam (an intermediate in the production of nylon-6). It is used in the preparation of resins, dyes, explosives, lubricants, pesticides and plastics. It is also used as an organic solvent to dissolve other alcohols, chloroform and ether.