--%>
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 : Dipole moment Elaborate a dipole moment

    Elaborate a dipole moment?

    		•
  • Q : What is covalent radii? Explain its

    Average covalent radii can be assigned on the basis of molecular structures. The accumulation of structural data by spectroscopic studies and both electron and x-ray diffraction studies allows one to investigate the possibili

    		•
  • Q : Real vapour pressure Choose the right

    Choose the right answer from following. The pressure under which liquid and vapour can coexist at equilibrium is called the : (a) Limiting vapour pressure (b) Real vapour pressure (c) Normal vapour pressure (d) Saturated vapour pressure

    		•
  • Q : Degree of dissociation The degree of

    The degree of dissociation of Ca(No3)2 in a dilute aqueous solution containing 14g of the salt per 200g of water 100oc is 70 percent. If the vapor pressure of water at 100oc is 760 cm. Calculate the vapor pr

    		•
  • Q : Molar mass Select the right answer of

    Select the right answer of the question. Which is heaviest: (a)25 gm of mercury (b)2 moles of water (c)2 moles of carbon dioxide (d)4 gm atoms of oxygen

    		•
  • Q : What is electrolysis? Explain with

    Passage of a current through a solution can produce an electrolysis reaction.Much additional information on the properties of the ions in an aqueous solution can be obtained from studies of the passage of a direct current (dc) through a cell containing a s

    		•
  • Q : IUPAC name of the benzene Write a short

    Write a short note on the IUPAC name of the benzene?

    		•
  • Q : Solution problem What is the correct

    What is the correct answer. To made a solution of concentration of 0.03 g/ml of AgNO3, what quantity of AgNO3 must be added in 60 ml of solution: (a) 1.8  (b) 0.8  (c) 0.18  (d) None of these

    		•
  • Q : Determining Mole fraction of water Can

    Can someone please help me in getting through this problem. The mole fraction of water in 20% aqueous solution of H2O2 is: (a) 77/68 (b) 68/77 (c) 20/80  (d) 80/20

    		•
  • Q : Calculating total vapour pressure

    Select the right answer of the question. The vapour pressure of two liquids P and Q are 80 and 600 torr, respectively. The total vapour pressure of solution obtained by mixing 3 mole of P and 2 mole of Q would be: (a) 140 torr (b) 20 torr (c) 68 torr (d) 72 torr

    		•