Products
Phenol is available to professionals at specialty stores.
Structure and properties
Phenol (C6H6O, Mr = 94.1 g/mol) is present in the form of crystals or as a crystalline mass with a typical odor. It is a volatile, hygroscopic and deliquescent substance that is colorless or faintly pinkish to yellowish in color. Phenol is soluble in water. Liquefied phenol (phenolum liquefactum) is a mixture of phenol with water. The melting point is 40.8 °C. Phenol consists of a benzene ring, which carries a hydroxy group instead of a hydrogen atom. It is the simplest representative of the phenol group. Phenol has slightly acidic properties with a pKa of about 10. It is much more acidic than alcohols and can be deprotonated with sodium hydroxide, for example. This produces sodium phenolate. The anion is called phenolate or phenoxide. Phenol is a good substrate for electrophilic aromatic substiution in – and -position, for example for halogenation or nitration. Phenol can also act as a nucleophile and it can be esterified.
Effects
Phenol (ATC D08AE03) has disinfectant (antiseptic) and corrosive properties.
Indications for use
- Phenol is a structural component of numerous active pharmaceutical ingredients.
- For chemical syntheses and analyses.
- As a pharmaceutical excipient.
Due to its toxicity, phenol is now hardly used as a disinfectant.
Adverse effects
Phenol is a toxic substance with an oral dose lethalis in the range of 20 to 30 g. It can cause severe skin and respiratory burns and severe eye damage if handled improperly. It is believed to be capable of causing genetic defects. Phenol is toxic by ingestion, skin contact and inhalation.
