Monohüdroksüfenool

Monohüdroksüfenool, also known as phenol or carbolic acid, is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula C6H5OH. It consists of a phenyl group bonded to a hydroxyl group. At room temperature, phenol is a colorless to white crystalline solid. It has a distinct, sweet, yet pungent odor. Phenol is moderately soluble in water and highly soluble in many organic solvents such as ethanol and diethyl ether.

Phenol is an important industrial chemical. It is produced on a large scale, primarily through the cumene process. Its primary uses include the production of plastics, such as phenolic resins (Bakelite), and bisphenol A, a key component in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Phenol is also a precursor for the synthesis of various other chemicals, including caprolactam (used to make nylon) and aniline. Furthermore, it finds application as a disinfectant and antiseptic due to its antimicrobial properties, although its use in this regard has decreased with the advent of safer alternatives.

Historically, phenol was one of the earliest antiseptics used in surgery, pioneered by Joseph Lister. It is weakly acidic, a property that distinguishes it from aliphatic alcohols. Its chemical reactivity is influenced by the hydroxyl group, which activates the aromatic ring towards electrophilic substitution.