Phenol
What is Phenol?
Phenol (C₆H₅OH, hydroxybenzene) is an aromatic organic compound consisting of a hydroxyl group directly attached to a benzene ring. It is a weak acid (pKa ≈ 10) due to resonance stabilization of the phenoxide anion by the aromatic ring, making it significantly more acidic than aliphatic alcohols. Phenol is used in the manufacture of plastics (Bakelite), resins, pharmaceuticals, and antiseptics, and is a key building block in organic synthesis.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Phenol (C₆H₅OH, hydroxybenzene) is an aromatic organic compound consisting of a hydroxyl group directly attached to a benzene ring. It is a weak acid (pKa ≈ 10) due to resonance stabilization of the phenoxide anion by the aromatic ring, making it significantly more acidic than aliphatic alcohols. Phenol is used in the manufacture of plastics (Bakelite), resins, pharmaceuticals, and antiseptics, and is a key building block in organic synthesis.