Abstract
Publisher Summary Phenols are compounds that possess a hydroxyl group directly attached to an aromatic carbocyclic nucleus. Phenol is the trivial name for monohydroxybenzene. The o-, m-, and p-cresols are monohydroxytoluenes (CH3.C6H4OH) and are distinct in their properties and reactions from the isomeric side-chain hydroxy compound, benzyl alcohol (C6H5.CH2OH), which is a typical aromatic alcohol. Simple monohydric phenols are either corrosive liquids or low melting solids. The dihydric and trihydric phenols are solids. The mono-hydroxy compounds are only slightly soluble in water but are miscible with organic solvents. Water solubility increases and solubility in organic solvents decreases with the introduction of additional hydroxyl groups. They are all characterized by, and distinguished from, the aliphatic or aromatic alcohols by their ready solubility in aqueous alkali. Phenols and the cresols are widely used as antiseptics and disinfectants; the cresols are contained in the wood preserving fluid, creosote. Many phenols have wide application in the industrial production of plastics, dyestuffs, insectides, selective weedkillers, and germicides.
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