Chavicol (p-allylphenol), C9H10O, occurs in some of the betel leaf oils, also in oil of bay, and possesses strongly antiseptic properties.

It is a colorless liquid that boils at about 237°. According to Eykman1) d18o 1,033 and nD 1,5441.

For its identification the crude phenols from betel leaf oil, separated by means of aqueous alkali, are fractionated. Fraction 235 to 240° is methylated and thus converted into methylchavicol which can easily be identified. The aqueous solution of chavicol is colored an intensive blue by ferric chloride, the alcoholic solution scarcely blue.