-2%
Phenol is an organic compound that originates from coal tar and is produced during the breakdown of organic substances. Natural events like forest fires can elevate environmental phenol levels. Additionally, phenol has been identified as one of the volatile compounds emitted from liquid manure.
From an industrial standpoint, phenol and related aromatic compounds are generated by several processes, including petroleum refining, the manufacturing of petrochemicals and basic organic chemicals, coal processing, pharmaceutical production, tanning operations, and pulp and paper industries.
Phenols are aromatic compounds characterized by the presence of at least one hydroxyl (-OH) group directly bonded to a benzene ring. Based on the number of hydroxyl groups attached to the ring, phenols are categorized as:
Monohydric Phenols: These include compounds with a single -OH group on the benzene ring. The simplest example is hydroxybenzene (commonly referred to as phenol). Substituted versions are also known, such as the three isomeric hydroxytoluenes called cresols.
Dihydric Phenols: These have two hydroxyl groups attached to the benzene ring. The three common isomers are known by their traditional names: catechol, resorcinol, and quinol.
Trihydric Phenols: These phenols contain three hydroxyl groups and include compounds like pyrogallol, hydroxyquinol, and phloroglucinol.