phenol



From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:


Phenol \Phe"nol\ (f[=e]"n[=o]l; 277), n. [Gr. fai`nein to show +
   -ol: cf. F. ph['e]nol.] (Chem.)
   1. A white or pinkish crystalline substance, C6H5OH,
      produced by the destructive distillation of many organic
      bodies, as wood, coal, etc., and obtained from the heavy
      oil from coal tar.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: It has a peculiar odor, somewhat resembling creosote,
         which is a complex mixture of phenol derivatives. It is
         of the type of alcohols, and is called also {phenyl
         alcohol}, but has acid properties, and hence is
         popularly called carbolic acid, and was formerly
         called phenic acid. It is a powerful caustic poison,
         and in dilute solution has been used as an antiseptic.
         [1913 Webster]

   2. Any one of the series of hydroxyl derivatives of which
      phenol proper is the type.
      [1913 Webster]

   Glacial phenol (Chem.), pure crystallized phenol or
      carbolic acid.

   Phenol acid (Chem.), any one of a series of compounds which
      are at once a derivative of phenol and an organic acid;
      thus, salicylic acid is a phenol acid.

   Phenol alcohol (Chem.), any one of series of derivatives of
      phenol and carbinol which have the properties of both
      combined; thus, saligenin is a phenol alcohol.

   Phenol aldehyde (Chem.), any one of a series of compounds
      having both phenol and aldehyde properties.

   Phenol phthalein. See phenolphthalein.
      [1913 Webster]














Feedback Form