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Phenol
From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
| Phenol | ||
|---|---|---|
 
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| General | ||
| Systematic name | Phenol | |
| Other names | Carbolic Acid Benzenol Phenylic Acid Hydroxybenzene Phenic Acid | |
| Molecular formula | C6H5OH | |
| SMILES | Oc1ccccc1 | |
| Molar mass | 94.11 g/mol94.11 amu | |
| Appearance | white crystalline solid | |
| CAS number | 108-95-2 | |
| Properties | ||
| Density and phase | 1.07 g/ml ? | |
| Solubility in water | 8.3 g/100 ml (20°C) | |
| Melting point | 40.5°C313.65 K 104.9 °F 564.57 °R | |
| Boiling point | 181.7°C454.85 K 359.06 °F 818.73 °R | |
| Acidity (pKa) | 9.95 | |
| Viscosity | 18.3 cP at ?°C | |
| Structure | ||
| Molecular shape | planar | |
| Coordination geometry | hexagonal | |
| Crystal structure | ? | |
| Dipole moment | 1.7 D | |
| Hazards | ||
| MSDS | Material Safety Data Sheet | |
| Main hazards | poisonous irritant corrosive flammable | |
| NFPA 704 |
2
3
0
| |
| Flash point | 79°C | |
| RTECS number | SJ3325000 | |
| Related compounds | ||
| Other anions | phenoxide | |
| Related compounds | Benzenethiol | |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Disclaimer and references | ||
Phenol is a colorless, white, or pink crystalline solid. It can also be purchased in its liquid state. Phenol naturally forms from the breakdown of decaying organic matter. All comercially sold phenol is now man-made. It is highly corrosive, toxic, and somewhat flammable. It is known for its sickly sweet odor.
Contents |
Properties
Phenol is a white, crystalline sloid in its pure state. It has a sweet detectable scent. Phenol is effective at killing bacteria. It has somewhat toxic properties; it is also very corrosive. Direct contact with the skin will cause burning, or at least irritation. Phenol should never be inhaled or ingested. If inhaled, it will cause burning of any internal tissues in comes into contact with. If ingested, in can be fatal. Phenol has the effect of a local anaesthetic, so burning will not intially be felt. Exposure can damage the nervous system, leading to such symptoms from sweating, dizziness, and twitching to nausea, vomiting and chemically induced coma. [1] Other negative effects are liver damage, dark urine, and irregular heartbeat. Phenol is flammable. Its sickly sweet and tar-like scent is noticable at concentrations lower than those considered to be harmful. Phenol can form a solution with water and evaporates more slowly than water. [2]
Occurrences
Phenol naturally occurs in decaying dead organic matter. Phenol was first discovered in coal tar in 1834. It was isolated only from this until World War One. All phenol used today is man made. [3] Phenol forms naturally in forest fires. It also results from the breakdown of benzene in sunlight. It is a natural metabolic by-product. It is occurs in human tissues, urine, feces, saliva, and sweat. Many organisms are capable of aerobically degrading phenol. Pulp mills, coal mines, refineries, and wood preservation plants are major sources for phenol pollution. [4]
Uses
Phenol was originally used as a antiseptic. Scientists began using it to create man-made dyes, aspirin, and picric acid. Picrid acid is a high explosive. Phenol was often combined with aldehydes and condensed to form resins. [5] Phenol can be used in air freshener because of its sweet odor. But the most common use for Phenol is in resins. These are cheap and have many uses, including plywood adhesion and motorcar industries. It is used in creating caprolactam, which is part of many man made fibers. It's disinfectant qualities make it useful in medicial products. [6] Commercially sold Phenol is usually in a liquid state. It is an ingredient in slimicides, which kill fungi and bacteria. It is also found in products like mouthwash and throat lozenges. [7]
Health Hazards
In undiluted quantities, phenol can be very toxic. Though found in small amounts in many common products, when concentrated, it is poisonous. It is known to burn the skin and any other human tissue it comes into direct contact with. It can can eye irritation and possible damage to vision if not immediately treated. Phenol can be damaging to the peripheral nervous system. This kind of toxicity effects the transportation of sensory information to the brain. Permanent sensory nerve damage, and possibly chronic skin diseases, can be caused by continued exposure. Phenol is suspected to be a cardiovascular toxicant, resultng in irregular heartbeat and other heart conditions.
Phenol is poisonous when ingested, to the point of being fatal. At best, it would be harmful to the gastrointestinal tract, liver, and/or gall bladder. Profuse vomiting and nausea or abdominal pain follow internalization. It may cause cells in the liver to die. The kidneys are always filtering toxins from the body and are open to exposure from ingested phenol. Inhalation will cause burning of the throat and lungs, as well as possible structural lung damage. Non-fatal exposure to pregnant mothers can lead to birth defects in newborn children. It can stunt growth or brain development of a fetus, or even kill it. Phenol may also affect reproductive organs and fertility. Great care must be taken when handling concentrated phenol in solid or liquid forms.[8]
References
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