Fenool

Fenool, or phenol, is the simplest aromatic phenol, with the chemical formula C6H5OH. It consists of a benzene ring bearing a hydroxyl group. Phenol is a colorless to pale pink crystalline solid at room temperature; it melts at about 40.5°C and boils at about 181.7°C. It forms hydrogen bonds and is a weak acid, with a pKa near 9.9. It is miscible with many organic solvents and has limited solubility in water.

Phenol occurs in trace amounts in coal tar and some plants, but is produced commercially on a large scale. The dominant industrial route is the cumene process, in which benzene and propylene react to form phenol and acetone via cumene hydroperoxide. Older methods, such as chlorobenzene hydrolysis (the Dow process), have been largely superseded.

Phenol is a versatile chemical with many uses. It is a key precursor for polymers including bisphenol A and epoxy resins, and for phenolic resins. It has antiseptic properties and has historically served as a disinfectant. In the laboratory, phenol is used as a reagent and in phenol-chloroform extraction for nucleic acid isolation.

Safety and environment: Phenol is corrosive and toxic; exposure can cause severe burns and systemic effects. It irritates skin, eyes, and the respiratory tract. It is flammable and should be handled with appropriate protective equipment in a well-ventilated area, with storage away from oxidizers. Environmental release is hazardous to aquatic life; disposal requires adherence to chemical safety regulations.