--%>
Assignment Help - homework help

What are methods of phenol preparation and its uses?

Phenol was initially obtained by fractional distillation of coal-tar. Phenol is present in the middle oil fraction in the distillation of coal-tar. Now-a-days, it is manufactured from cumene (isopropyl benzene).
    
From cumene

The starting material for the preparation of phenol is cumene (isopropyl benzene). Cumene itself is prepared by Friedel-Craft alkylation of benzene with propene. Cumene is oxidized through air to cumene hydroperoxide, which after treatment with dilute sulphuric acid provides phenol and acetone.

2379_Phenol preparation.png 
    
From benzene (Raschig process)

The method involves heating of benzene, HCl and air over a catalyst (mixture of CuCl2 and FeCl2) at 500 K when chlorobenzene is produced. It is then heated with super heated steam at 750 K to give phenol.

719_Phenol preparation1.png 

Another new method for synthesis of phenol is to pass benzene and air over V2O5 at 600 K when benzene is directly oxidized to phenol.

1637_Phenol preparation2.png 

Uses of phenol
    
In the manufacture of drugs like salicylic acid, pheacetin, aspirin, salol etc.
    
For the manufacture of Bakelite by polymerizing with formaldehyde.
    
For the manufacture of phenolphthalein, picric acid.
    
As a additive for ink.
    
For the manufacture of cyclohexanol used as solvent for rubber.
    
As a strong antiseptic in soaps, lotions etc.
    
Phenol is used in the manufacture of herbicides such as '2, 4-D' and germicides such as "TCP".

   Related Questions in Chemistry

  • Q : What are heterogenous catalysis? Give

    When the catalyst exists in a different phase than that of reactants, it is said to be heterogeneous catalyst, and the catalysis is called heterogeneous catalysis. For example, SO2 can be oxidized to SO3

    		•
  • Q : Question related to molarity Help me to

    Help me to go through this problem. Molarity of a solution containing 1g NaOH in 250ml of solution: (a) 0.1M (b) 1M (c) 0.01M (d) 0.001M

    		•
  • Q : Rotational energy and entropy due to

    The entropy due to the rotational motion of the molecules of a gas can be calculated. Linear molecules: as was pointed out, any rotating molecule has a set of allowed rotational energies. For a linear molecule the

    		•
  • Q : Problem on partial pressure i) Show

    i) Show that the equilibrium constant Kp for the reaction CaCo3(s) ↔ CaO(s) +CO2(g)is about unity (i.e. = 1.0) at 895 °C.ii) If two grams of calcium carbonate are pl

    		•
  • Q : Liquid Vapour Free Energies The free

    The free energy of a component of a liquid solution is equal to its free energy in the equilibrium vapour.Partial molal free energies let us deal with the free energy of the components of a solution. We use these free energies, or simpler concentration ter

    		•
  • Q : Calculating molarity of a solution

    Select the right answer of the question .The molarity of a 0.2 N N2Co3 solution will be: (a) 0.05 M (b) 0.2 M (c) 0.1 M (d)0.4 M

    		•
  • Q : Eutectic Formation In some two

    In some two component, solid liquid systems, a eutectic mixture forms.Consider, now a two component system at some fixed pressure, where the temperature range treated is such as to include formation of one or more solid phases. A simple behavior is shown b

    		•
  • Q : Extensive property Choose the right

    Choose the right answer from following. Which one of the following is an extensive property: (a) Molar volume (b) Molarity (c) Number of moles (d) Mole fraction

    		•
  • Q : What do you mean by the term dipole

    What do you mean by the term dipole moment? Briefly describe it.

    		•
  • Q : Explosions produce carbon dioxide

    Illustrate all the explosions produce carbon dioxide?

    		•