Phenols Totally Explained

Everything about Phenols totally explained

In organic chemistry, phenols, sometimes called phenolics, are a class of chemical compounds consisting of a hydroxyl group (-O H) attached to an aromatic hydrocarbon group. The simplest of the class is phenol (C₆H₅OH).
Although similar to alcohols, phenols have unique properties and are not classified as alcohols (since the hydroxyl group isn't bonded to a saturated carbon atom). They have relatively higher acidities due to the aromatic ring's tight coupling with the oxygen and a relatively loose bond between the oxygen and hydrogen. The acidity of the hydroxyl group in phenols is commonly intermediate between that of aliphatic alcohols and carboxylic acids (their pK_a is usually comprised between 10 and 12). Loss of a positive hydrogen ion (H⁺) from the hydroxyl group of a phenol forms a negative phenolate ion.
Some phenols are germicidal and are used in formulating disinfectants. Others possess estrogenic or endocrine disrupting activity.

Synthesis of phenols

Several laboratory methods for the synthesis of phenols:

by an ester rearrangement in the Fries rearrangement
by a rearrangement of N-phenylhydroxylamines in the Bamberger rearrangement
by hydrolysis of phenolic esters or ethers
by reduction of quinones
by replacement of an aromatic amine by an hydroxyl group with water and sodium bisulfide in the Bucherer reaction
by hydrolysis of diazonium salts
by oligomerisation with formaldehyde + base catalysed reaction with epichlorohydrine to epoxi resin components
by reaction with acetone/ketones to for example Bisphenol A, an important monomer for resins, for example polycarbonate(PC), epoxi resins
by a rearrangement reaction of dienones in the dienone phenol rearrangement : ť

Reactions of phenols

Phenols react in a wide variety of ways.

Esterfication reactions and ether formation

Electrophilic aromatic substitutions as the hydroxyl group is activating, for example synthesis of calixarenes

Reaction of naphtols and hydrazines and sodium bisulfite in the Bucherer carbazole synthesis

Oxidative cleavage, for instance cleavage of 1,2-dihydroxybenzene to the monomethylester of 2,4 hexadienedioic acid with oxygen, copper chloride in pyridine

Oxidative de-aromatization to quinones also known as the Teuber reaction. Oxidizing reagents are Fremy's salt and oxone . In reaction depicted below 3,4,5-trimethylphenol reacts with singlet oxygen generated from oxone/sodium carbonate in an acetonitrile/water mixture to a para-peroxyquinole. This hydroperoxide is oxidized to the quinole with sodium thiosulfate. ť

Phenols are oxidized to benzenediols in the Elbs persulfate oxidation

Phenolate anions (deriving from phenols by the loss of H⁺) can act as ligands towards metal cations

Phenolic compounds

ť For a full list, see

Phenol	the parent compound, used as an disinfectant and for chemical synthesis
BHT	(butylated hydroxytoluene) - a fat-soluble antioxidant and food additive
Capsaicin	the pungent compound of chilli peppers
Bisphenol A	and other bisphenols produced from ketones and phenol / cresol
Chavibetol	from betel, used as a flavouring
Cresol	found in coal tar and creosote
Estradiol	estrogen - hormones
Eugenol	the main constituent of the essential oil of clove
Gallic acid	found in gallnuts
Guaiacol	(2-methoxyphenol) - has a smokey flavor, and is found in roasted coffee, whisky, and smoke
4-Nonylphenol	a breakdown product of detergents and nonoxynol-9
Orthophenyl phenol	a fungicide used for waxing citrus fruits
Picric acid	(trinitrophenol) - an explosive material
Phenolphthalein	pH indicator
Polyphenol	for example flavonoids and tannins
Raspberry ketone	a compound with an intense raspberry smell
Serotonin / dopamine / adrenaline / noradrenaline	natural neurotransmitters
Thymol	(2-Isopropyl-5-methyl phenol) - an antiseptic that's used in mouthwashes
Tyrosine	an amino acid
Xylenol	-used in antiseptics & disinfecticides

Medicinals

Cannabinoids	the active constituents of cannabis
Diethylstilbestrol	a synthetic estrogen with a stilbene structure
L-DOPA	a synthetic estrogen with a stilbene structure
Methyl salicylate	the major constituent of the essential oil of wintergreen
Propofol	a short-acting intravenous anesthetic agent
Psilocin	a hallucinogenic alkaloid of Psilocybe mushrooms
Salicylic acid	a plant hormone used for its analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory properties, also a precursor compound to Aspirin
Trichlorophenylmethyliodosalicyl	the main component of TCP, an antiseptic.

Further Information

Get more info on 'Phenols'.

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