Functional Group: Hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a benzene ring.
Acidity: Phenol is a weak acid (pKa = 9.95), capable of losing a proton (H⁺) to form the phenoxide ion (C₆H₅O⁻). It is more acidic than alcohols but less so than strong acids.
Reactivity: Phenol undergoes electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions and reacts with alkali metals like sodium to form phenoxide salts.
Appearance: Colorless to pale pink crystalline solid or liquid.
Odor: A distinctive, sweet, medicinal smell, commonly associated with disinfectants.
Density: 1.07 g/cm³ (slightly denser than water).
Melting Point: 40.5°C (104.9°F).
Boiling Point: 181.7°C (359.1°F).
Solubility:
Slightly soluble in water but more soluble in organic solvents like ethanol, ether, and chloroform.
Miscible with acetone and benzene.
Viscosity: Slightly viscous, with a consistency similar to water at room temperature.
Vapor Pressure: Low vapor pressure, increasing at higher temperatures.
key Uses of Phenol:
Plastics: Used to make phenolic resins and other polymers like Bakelite.
Pharmaceuticals: Key in the synthesis of drugs like aspirin and other pain relievers.
Disinfectants: Used in antiseptic products and disinfectants.
Agriculture: Used as an intermediate in the synthesis of herbicides and pesticides.
