22 October 2021 Bulletin

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Phenol

Phenol, also known as carbolic acid and phenic acid, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C₆H₅OH. [1] Pure phenol consists of white or clear acicular crystals. At 41 degrees Celsius, phenol congeals into a solid that can be liquefied by mixing a very small amount of water (2 parts water: 23 parts phenol). On exposure to air and light, phenol assumes a pinkish or reddish discoloration; this discoloration is accelerated by the presence of alkalinity or impurities. Phenol has a characteristic sweet, medicinal, or tar-like odour. [2] It is mildly acidic, but requires careful handling due to its propensity to cause burns. Phenol was first extracted from coal tar, but today is produced on a large scale (about 7 billion kg/year) using a series of industrial processes starting with crude oil. [1]

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