PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF

PHENOL
Pure phenols are generally colourless solids or
liquids. The light colour usually associated with
phenols
is due to its oxidation by air in presence of light

(b) When phenol is treated with bromine

water, 2,4,6-tribromophenol is formed as
white precipitate.
Kolbes reaction :

Phenols, in general, are insoluble in water; but

phenol itself, and polyhydric phenols are fairly
soluble in
water which is believed to be due to the
formation of hydrogen bonds with water.
(iii) Due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding,
phenols usually have relatively high boiling
points than the
corresponding hydrocarbons, aryl halides and
alcohols
They possess characteristic colour. They are
highly toxic in nature and possess antiseptic
properties. They
may produce wounds on skin.

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF
PHENOL
Nitration:
(a) When phenol react with dilute nitric
acid at low temperature (298 K), gives a
mixture of ortho and
para nitrophenols.
(b) When phenol is react with concentrated
nitric acid, gives 2,4,6-trinitrophenol.
2. Halogenation:
(a) When the reaction is carried out in
solvents of low polarity such as CHCl
or CS and at low 3 2
temperature, monobromophenols are
formed.

Reimer-Tiemann reaction : 0n
treating phenol with chloroform in the
presence of sodium
hydroxide, a -CH0 group is introduced at
ortho position of benzene ring. This reaction
is known as
Reimer - Tiemann reaction.The intermediate
substituted benzal chloride is hydrolysed in
the presence
of alkali to produce salicylaldehyde.
The mechanism ofthe Reimer-Tiemann
reaction is believed to involve the formation
of
dichlormethylene.
Na0H+CHCl :CCl +NaCl+H 0 3 2 2
Libermanns Reaction : When phenol
is treated with sodium dissolved in conc.
Sulphuric acid, a red colouration
appears, which changes to blue on adding
aqueous Na0H. This reaction is called
Libermanns reaction
2NaN02 + H2S04 Na2S04 + 2HN02
Nitrous acid

5. Reaction of phenol with zinc dust :

When phenol is heated with zinc dust
gives benzene.
6. Oxidation:0xidation of phenol with
chromic acid produces a conjugated
diketone known as
benzoquinone. In the presence of air,
phenols are slowly oxidised to dark
coloured mixtures containing
quinones.
Lab preparation

Reaction type : Oxidation

Summary

This industrial method is the

primary source of phenol.

Oxidation at the benzylic

position gives the hydroperoxide
which cleaves to give phenol and
acetone.

Cheap reagents and important

products make the process
attractive.

Phenol derivatives are also used in the

preparation
of cosmetics including sunscreens,[19] hair
colorings, and skin lightening preparations.[20]
sources

Notable sources of natural phenols in human

nutrition include berries, tea, beer, olive
oil, chocolate or cocoa, coffee, pomegranates,
popcorn, yerba mat, fruits and fruit based
drinks (including cider, wine and vinegar)
and vegetables. Herbs and spices, nuts (waln
uts, peanut) and algae are also potentially
significant for supplying certain natural
phenols.
Natural phenols can also be found in fatty
matrices like olive oil.[111] Cloudy olive oil has
the higher levels of phenols, or polar phenols
that form a complex phenol-protein complex.
Phenolic compounds, when used
in beverages, such as prune juice, have been
shown to be helpful in the color and sensory
components, such as alleviating bitterness.[112]
Some advocates for organic farming claim
that organically grown potatoes, oranges,
and leafy vegetables have more phenolic

Uses:
Its major uses involve its conversion to
plastics or related materials. Phenol and its
chemical derivatives are key for
building polycarbonates, epoxies, Bakelite, nyl
on, detergents, herbicides such as phenoxy
herbicides, and numerouspharmaceutical
drugs.
Phenol is also used as an oral
anesthetic/analgesic in products such
as Chloraseptic or other brand name and
generic equivalents, commonly used to
temporarily treat pharyngitis.

compounds and these may

provide antioxidantprotection against heart
disease and cancer.[113] However evidence on
substantial differences between organic food
and conventional food is insufficient to make
claims that organic food is safer or more
healthy than conventional food.[114][115]