phenol

Also known as carbolic acid, PHOH, IPH, IZAL, benzenol, oxybenzene, phenyl hydroxide, phenylic acid

Phenol (also known as carbolic acid, phenolic acid, or benzenol) is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula . It is a white crystalline solid that is volatile and can catch fire.

AI overview

Phenol is a chemical compound that forms white crystals and can easily evaporate and catch fire, and it's commonly used in various industrial and medical applications. It matters because of its widespread use in manufacturing products like disinfectants, plastics, and pharmaceuticals, though it requires careful handling due to its flammability and toxicity.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Chemical data

Formula: C6H6O
Molecular weight: 94.11 g/mol
IUPAC name: hydron phenoxide
SMILES: [H+].C1=CC=C(C=C1)[O-]
InChIKey: ISWSIDIOOBJBQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Polar surface area: 23.1 Å²
H-bond donors: 1
H-bond acceptors: 1
Formal charge: 0

via PubChem

Research

732,721 papers

Phenol.ReviewIARC monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans · 1989
Phenol Neurolysis in Pain and Palliative Medicine.ReviewPain practice : the official journal of World Institute of Pain · 2026Creemers JHA, Smits RJH, Patel AM et al.DOI: 10.1111/papr.70153
(Poly)phenol toxicity in vivo following oral administration: A targeted narrative review of (poly)phenols from green tea, grape, and anthocyanin-rich extracts.ReviewPhytotherapy research : PTR · 2022Cladis DP, Weaver CM, Ferruzzi MGDOI: 10.1002/ptr.7323
[Phenol].ReviewPostepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej · 1987Omieljaniuk N, Moniuszko-Jakoniuk J
Phycoremediation of phenol-polluted petro-industrial effluents and its techno-economic values as a win-win process for a green environment, sustainable energy and bioproducts.ReviewJournal of applied microbiology · 2021El-Gendy NS, Nassar HNDOI: 10.1111/jam.14989
Sensitive and selective phenol sensing in denitrifying Aromatoleum aromaticum EbN1(T).Microbiology spectrum · 2023Buschen R, Lambertus P, Scheve S et al.DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02100-23
Recognizing potential toxicity of phenol.ReviewVeterinary and human toxicology · 1982Brancato DJ
Comprehensive characterization of lotus root polysaccharide-phenol complexes.Food chemistry · 2022Yi Y, Tang HS, Sun Y et al.DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130693

via PubMed

Wikidata facts

Mass: 94.042
Image: Phenol 2 grams.jpg

Show 20 more facts

density: 1.06
immediately dangerous to life or health: 962.5
melting point: 40.9
Commons category: Phenol
chemical formula: C₆H₆O
NIOSH Pocket Guide ID: 0493
boiling point: 181.87
vapor pressure: 0.4
flash point: 175
solubility: 9
lower flammable limit: 1.8
upper flammable limit: 8.6
ionization energy: 8.47
time-weighted average exposure limit: 19
ceiling exposure limit: 60
World Health Organisation international non-proprietary name: phenol
pKa: 9.89
canonical SMILES: C1=CC=C(C=C1)O
standard enthalpy of formation: -162.944
electric dipole moment: 1.224

Sources (8)

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~21 min read

Article

27 sections

Contents

Properties
Acidity
Hydrogen bonding
Tautomerism
Reactions
Production
Cumene process
Oxidation of benzene, toluene, cyclohexylbenzene
Older methods
Hydrolysis of benzenesulfonic acid
Hydrolysis of chlorobenzene
Coal pyrolysis
Miscellaneous methods
Shipping
Exposure and toxicity
Uses
Chemicals
Topical anesthetic
Nerve block
History
Second World War
Occurrences
Biodegradation
Naming
See also
References
External links

Phenol (also known as carbolic acid, phenolic acid, or benzenol) is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula . It is a white crystalline solid that is volatile and can catch fire.

The molecule consists of a phenyl group () bonded to a hydroxy group (). Mildly acidic, it requires careful handling because it can cause chemical burns. It is acutely toxic and is considered a health hazard.