Phenol

Phenol, C6H5OH, is an organic compound that contains a hydroxy group that is attached directly to a benzene ring. The compound is formed when a hydrogen atom attached to a benzene ring is replaced by the hydroxyl group.

Properties of Phenol

In a phenol, the normal properties of the hydroxy group that are observed in alcohols are absent, and new chemical properties of phenols are shown for the hydroxy group that is attached to the aromatic ring.

Phenols are acidic (i.e. the hydrogen atom of the hydroxy group is easily ionised and released as a hydrogen ion). This acidic property is demonstrated in that phenol was formally called carbolic acid, when it was used as an antiseptic.

Influence of Hydroxyl Group on Aromatic Substitutions

Due to the activating properties of the hydroxy group that is attached to the benzene ring, phenol readily undergoes chlorination, nitrification, etc.

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