--%>

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 : 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 : Benzoic acid is weaker than paranitro

    Briefly state that Benzoic acid is weaker than paranitro benzoic acid?

  • Q : Colligative property related question

    Select the right answer of the question. Which of the following is not a colligative property : (a) Osmotic pressure (b) Elevation in B.P (c) Vapour pressure (d) Depression in freezing point

  • Q : Examples of reversible reaction

    Describe some examples of a reversible reaction?

  • Q : Analytical chemistry 37% weight of HCl

    37% weight of HCl and density is 1.1g/ml. find molarity of HCl

  • Q : Problem based on molality of glucose

    Select the right answer of the question. If 18 gm of glucose (C6H12O6) is present in 1000 gm of an aqueous solution of glucose, it is said to be: (a)1 molal (b)1.1 molal (c)0.5 molal (d)0.1 molal

  • Q : Molality of glucose Help me to go

    Help me to go through this problem. Molecular weight of glucose is 180. A solution of glucose which contains 18 gms per litre is : (a) 2 molal (b) 1 molal (c) 0.1 molal (d)18 molal

  • Q : Molarity of Nacl solution When 5.85 g

    When 5.85 g of NaCl (having molecular weight 58.5) is dissolved in water and the solution is prepared to 0.5 litres, the molarity of the solution is: (i) 0.2 (ii) 0.4 (iii) 1.0 (iv) 0.1

  • Q : Explain Vapour Pressure Composition A

    A pressure composition diagram for a liquid vapor system can be used to show the composition of the liquid and equilibrium vapor.Vapor equilibrium data are useful in the study of distillations. It is of value to have diagrams showing not only the vapor pre

  • Q : Amount of glucose in blood What is the

    What is the normal amount of glucose in 100ml of blood (8–12 hrs after meal) is: (i) 8mg (ii) 80mg (iii) 200mg (iv) 800mg Choose the right answer from above.