|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries: |
Research categories | Follow us on Twitter |
Research categories
View all topics in the newsView all reference sources at Encyclopedia.com |
|||
phenol
phenol , C 6 H 5 OH, a colorless, crystalline solid that melts at about 41°C, boils at 182°C, and is soluble in ethanol and ether and somewhat soluble in water. An aromatic alcohol , it exhibits weak acidic properties and is corrosive and poisonous. Phenol is sometimes called carbolic acid, especially when in water solution. It reacts with strong bases to form salts called phenolates. Phenol is important in industry in the production of certain artificial resins, e.g., Bakelite , and in the synthesis of many drugs, dyes, weed killers, insecticides, and explosives (e.g., picric acid ). It is the simplest member of a class of hydroxy benzene derivatives, all of which contain a hydroxyl group attached to a benzene ring; these compounds may be thought of as derivatives of phenol and generically are called phenols. |
|
|
Cite this article
"phenol." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "phenol." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-phenol.html "phenol." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-phenol.html |
|
phenol
phenol Aromatic compound group whose members each have an attachment of a hydroxyl group to a carbon atom forming part of a benzene ring. The simplest of the family is also called phenol or carbolic acid (C6H5OH). Phenols are colourless liquids or white solids at room temperature. They are used by the chemical and pharmaceutical industries for such products as aspirin, dye, fungicide, explosive, and as a starting material for nylon and epoxy resin.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"phenol." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "phenol." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-phenol.html "phenol." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-phenol.html |
|
phenol
phe·nol / ˈfēˌnôl; -ˌnäl/ • n. Chem. a mildly acidic toxic white crystalline solid, C6H5OH, obtained from coal tar and used in chemical manufacture, and in dilute form (under the name carbolic) as a disinfectant. ∎ any compound with a hydroxyl group linked directly to a benzene ring. DERIVATIVES: phe·no·lic / fiˈnälik/ adj. |
|
|
Cite this article
"phenol." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "phenol." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-phenol.html "phenol." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-phenol.html |
|
phenol
phenol (carbolic acid) (fee-nol) n. a strong disinfectant, derivatives of which (phenolics) are used for disinfecting the skin before surgery. oily p. an irritant substance administered by injection for sclerotherapy of haemorrhoids.
|
|
|
Cite this article
"phenol." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "phenol." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-phenol.html "phenol." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-phenol.html |
|
phenol
phenol (chem.) hydroxyl derivative of benzene, carbolic acid. XIX. — F. phénole, f. phène benzene; see -OL.
|
|
|
Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "phenol." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "phenol." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-phenol.html T. F. HOAD. "phenol." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-phenol.html |
|
phenol
phenol An aromatic compound that bears one or more hydroxyl groups.
|
|
|
Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "phenol." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "phenol." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-phenol.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "phenol." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-phenol.html |
|
phenol
phenol An aromatic compound that bears 1 or more hydroxyl groups.
|
|
|
Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "phenol." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "phenol." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-phenol.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "phenol." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-phenol.html |
|
|
Search over 100 encyclopedias and dictionaries:
HighBeam™ Research, Inc. © Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.
The Encyclopedia.com advertising network includes:
