Phenol

Phenol

Have you ever observed the oily material which is used to clean your house? Do you know what it is? It is a chemical named as Phenol.

Phenol is a carbolic acid of an organic compound. It is a necessary ingredient for preparing variety of phenol products. The molecular formula of phenol is C₆H₅ OH, it is a weak acid. It is a volatile, white crystalline powder.

It is a colorless solution, but changes into red in the presence of dust.

It irritates when exposed on human skin. It is widely used for industrial purposes.

Phenol itself is used (in low concentrations) in mouthwash and as a disinfectant in household cleaners. Phenol used as surgical antiseptic since it kills micro organisms.