What is Phenol?
Phenol is an organic compound with an aromatic ring. The molecular formula of phenol is C6H5OH. It can be obtained from the distillation of coal tar or crude. It is a white crystalline solid that is volatile. It can be manufactured as a chemical or obtained as a natural substance. Its appearance is colourless-to-white solid when pure, while the commercial product is a liquid.
It is used in various applications, including surgical treatments, chemical peels, food and cosmetic preservatives, and cancer prevention. Being an antioxidant it have some health benefits. It is more acidic than typical alcohol.
Structure of Phenol
Phenol, also known as carbolic acid, has a simple chemical structure. It consists of a benzene ring with a hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to it. The chemical formula for phenol is C6H5OH. The benzene ring is a hexagonal ring of six carbon atoms with alternating single and double bonds between them. The hydroxyl group is attached to one of the carbon atoms in the benzene ring.
Nomenclature of Phenol
The IUPAC name of phenol is Benzenol. However, the common name “phenol” is widely accepted and more commonly used than the IUPAC name. The IUPAC name Benzenol is derived from the systematic naming of the compound, where “benzene” refers to the parent hydrocarbon structure, and “ol” indicates the presence of a hydroxyl group (-OH).
Phenol (C6H5OH)
Phenol is an aromatic organic compound. Its molecular formula is C6H6O. Phenol is characterized by a hydroxyl group attached to a carbon atom that is part of an aromatic ring. It is also known as carbolic acid and consists of hydroxyl and phenyl groups attached to each other. In this article, we look into what phenol is, its structure, its classification, general properties, preparation and reactions, etc.
Table of Content
- What is Phenol?
- Classification of phenol
- Properties of phenol
- Preparation of Phenol
- Reaction of Phenol
- Derivatives of Phenol
- Uses of Phenol
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