Phenol is hydroxybenzene. It is customarily obtained from coal-tar by securing the oils boiling at 1820 C, purifying, and redistilling. It is also made synthetically from benzene or from aniline. It should contain not less than 97% C6H5OH. Its solution in water is the official Phenol Liquefactum (=87% C6H5OH).

Properties:

Appearance

Color

Odor

Taste

Phenol

Do not taste

Phenol Liquefactum

1 to 100 dilut.

Gently heat some of the Phenol crystals..............................................................................................................................

Incompatibilities: To Phenol T. S. add

Albumin, T. S.....................................................................................

K2Mn04, T. S.....................................................................................

Chloral Hyd..........................................................................................

Na2HP04, T. S. ... _.............................................

1 gt. FeCl3 ..............................................................

Phenol is used as an antiseptic and disinfectant in 1% to 5% solutions. Locally it indurates and benumbs the skin. If used in too strong solutions, it will cauterize, and may produce gangrene. It has no well-defined internal utility.