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Phenol

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Phenol is a widely used ingredient in cosmetics, personal care, and skincare formulations. Depending on its function, it may serve as a moisturizer, preservative, emulsifier, or active ingredient to enhance the overall effectiveness and performance of a product.

Phenol (Wikipedia)
This article is about the molecule. For the group of chemicals that contains a phenol group, see Phenols.
"Carbolic acid" redirects here. Not to be confused with carbonic acid or carboxylic acid.

Phenol (also known as carbolic acid, phenolic acid, or benzenol) is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula C6H5OH. It is a white crystalline solid that is volatile. The molecule consists of a phenyl group (−C6H5) bonded to a hydroxy group (−OH). Mildly acidic, it requires careful handling because it can cause chemical burns.

Phenol
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Phenol
Systematic IUPAC name
Benzenol
Other names
  • Carbolic acid
  • Phenolic acid
  • Phenylic acid
  • Hydroxybenzene
  • Phenic acid
  • Phenyl alcohol
  • Phenyl hydroxide
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
DrugBank
ECHA InfoCard 100.003.303 Edit this at Wikidata
KEGG
RTECS number
  • SJ3325000
UNII
UN number 2821 (solution)
2312 (molten)
1671 (solid)
  • InChI=1S/C6H6O/c7-6-4-2-1-3-5-6/h1-5,7H checkY
    Key: ISWSIDIOOBJBQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C6H6O/c7-6-4-2-1-3-5-6/h1-5,7H
  • Oc1ccccc1
Properties
C6H6O
Molar mass 94.113 g/mol
Appearance Transparent crystalline solid
Odor Sweet and tarry
Density 1.07 g/cm3
Melting point 40.5 °C (104.9 °F; 313.6 K)
Boiling point 181.7 °C (359.1 °F; 454.8 K)
8.3 g/100 mL (20 °C)
log P 1.48
Vapor pressure 0.4 mmHg (20 °C)
Acidity (pKa)
  • 9.95 (in water),
  • 18.0 (in DMSO),
  • 29.1 (in acetonitrile)
Conjugate base Phenoxide
UV-vis (λmax) 270.75 nm
1.224 D
Pharmacology
C05BB05 (WHO) D08AE03 (WHO), N01BX03 (WHO), R02AA19 (WHO)
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS05: CorrosiveGHS06: ToxicGHS08: Health hazard
Danger
H301, H311, H314, H331, H341, H373
P261, P280, P301+P310, P305+P351+P338, P310
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 3: Short exposure could cause serious temporary or residual injury. E.g. chlorine gasFlammability 2: Must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperature before ignition can occur. Flash point between 38 and 93 °C (100 and 200 °F). E.g. diesel fuelInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
3
2
0
Flash point 79 °C (174 °F; 352 K)
Explosive limits 1.8–8.6%
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
  • 317 mg/kg (rat, oral)
  • 270 mg/kg (mouse, oral)
  • 420 mg/kg (rabbit, oral)
  • 500 mg/kg (dog, oral)
  • 80 mg/kg (cat, oral)
  • 19 ppm (mammal)
  • 81 ppm (rat)
  • 69 ppm (mouse)
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
 TWA 5 ppm (19 mg/m3) [skin]
REL (Recommended)
  • TWA 5 ppm (19 mg/m3)
  • C 15.6 ppm (60 mg/m3) [15-minute] [skin]
IDLH (Immediate danger)
 250 ppm
Safety data sheet (SDS) [1]
Related compounds
Related compounds
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Phenol was first extracted from coal tar, but today is produced on a large scale (about 7 million tonnes a year) from petroleum-derived feedstocks. It is an important industrial commodity as a precursor to many materials and useful compounds. It is primarily used to synthesize plastics and related materials. Phenol and its chemical derivatives are essential for production of polycarbonates, epoxies, explosives, Bakelite, nylon, detergents, herbicides such as phenoxy herbicides, and numerous pharmaceutical drugs.

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