Other names: carbonic acid, hydroxy benzene, mono-hydroxy benzene, oxybenzene, Polyphonic acid, phenylalanine alcohol, phenylic acid, phenylic alcohol, hydrate phenyl, phenyl hydroxide

Phenol is a colorless crystalline compound that is obtained from the distillation of coal tar. It is an organic substances belonging to the group oxygenated hydrocarbons. It obtained for the first time from coal tar but nowadays is synthesized from crude oil in industrial scale. Phenol is one of the simple organic compounds that is formed through connection of a hydroxyl group and a benzene ring and its chemical formula is C5H6OH. Pure phenol, is a white solid with a melting point of 42 ° C or 108 ° F and normally is soluble in water and is a weak acid (pKa = 9.9) and is used as a disinfector. Phenol with high concentrations can cause burning of the skin. Compounds in which there is more than one hydroxyl group attached to the benzene ring are called poly hydric phenol compounds. Phenol exists in the form of convoluted needle-shaped crystals or separated or colorless crystalline mass or slightly pink and with special odor. Water is soluble in the phenol at the rate of 10%. Phenol is most stable in the phenol category. It is oxidizes a little in the air and can be sterilized by heat. It is one of the oldest antiseptics was introduced in 1867 in surgery. Phenol effect on tissues is toxic and pure phenol has corrosive effect on the skin and it violates many tissues. Phenols economically are extremely valuable antimicrobial agents. Phenol is one of the important organic compounds used in industry and is used as raw material for the production of raw materials for various industries such as: nonylphenol, bisphenol, phenolic resins, alkyl phenolic, phenolic antioxidant and etc. Phenols and their derivatives are of the important precursors in industries such as rubber and plastics, polycarbonate, epoxies, nylon, detergents, herbicides and kinds of drugs. Two-thirds of products of phenol are converted to precursors which are used in the plastics industry. Of the condensation of phenol and acetone, bisphenol A is obtained that is the main precursor for the production of polycarbonate resins and epoxide. Condensation of phenol and alkyl phenols or diphenol with formaldehyde gives phenolic resins. Nonionic detergents are produced from phenol alkylation that alkyl phenols gives the nonylphenol and of course nonylphenol is Ethoxylated later and Ethoxylated nonylphenol is of wide used cases in detergents. Phenol is a multi-purpose precursor to a huge collection of medications including aspirin. Phenol is also a precursor for the production of herbicides.