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cresol
cresol , CH 3 C 6 H 4 OH, any one of three aromatic alcohols present in coal tar. The three compounds are structural isomers ; they may be thought of as hydroxy derivatives of toluene or as methyl derivatives of phenol . The names of the three compounds indicate which of the hydrogens on the benzene ring portion of the molecule have been replaced. Two adjacent hydrogens are replaced, one with a methyl group and one with a hydroxyl group, to form ortho -cresol, also called 2-hydroxytoluene, or 2-methylphenol. When a single unreplaced hydrogen lies between the two that are replaced, the compound formed is meta -cresol, 3-hydroxytoluene, or 3-methylphenol. When the replaced hydrogens lie opposite one another on the ring, the compound formed is para -cresol, 4-hydroxytoluene, or 4-methylphenol. Because the boiling points of these three compounds are nearly the same, a separation of a mixture of the three into its pure components is impractical. The mixture of cresols obtained from coal tar is called cresylic acid. The cresols are used in the manufacture of disinfectants and synthetic resins. |
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"cresol." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "cresol." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-cresol.html "cresol." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-cresol.html |
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cresol
cresol (kree-sol) n. a strong antiseptic effective against many microorganisms and used mostly in soap solutions as a general disinfectant. Cresol solutions irritate the skin and if taken by mouth are corrosive and cause pain, nausea, and vomiting.
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"cresol." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "cresol." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-cresol.html "cresol." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-cresol.html |
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