--%>
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 : Relationship between free energy and

    The free energy of a gas depends on the pressure that confines the gas. The standard free energies of formation, like those allow predictions to be made of the possibility of a reaction at 25°C for each reagent at 

    		•
  • Q : Molal elevation constant of water The

    The boiling point of 0.1 molal aqueous solution of urea is 100.18oC  at 1 atm. The molal elevation constant of water is: (a) 1.8    (b) 0.18   (c) 18    (d) 18.6Answer: (a) Kb

    		•
  • Q : From where the tin is obtained From

    From where the tin is obtained? Briefly illustrate it.

    		•
  • Q : Problem on decinormal Select the right

    Select the right answer of the question. How much water is required to dilute 10 ml of 10 N hydrochloric acid to make it exactly decinormal (0.1 N): (a) 990 ml (b) 1000 ml (c) 1010 ml (d) 100 ml

    		•
  • Q : Problem on relative volatility In

    In vapor-liquid equilibrium the relative volatility αij is defined to be the ratio of the separation or K factor for species i to that for species j, that is,  αij = Ki/Kj

    		•
  • Q : Maximum vapour pressure Provide

    Provide solution of this question. Which solution will show the maximum vapour pressure at 300 K: (a)1MC12H22O11 (b)1M CH3 COOH (c) 1MNacl2 (d)1MNACl

    		•
  • Q : Formula of diesel Write a short note on

    Write a short note on the formula of diesel, petrol and also CNG?

    		•
  • Q : Lab question Explain how dissolving the

    Explain how dissolving the Group IV carbonate precipitate with 6M CH3COOH, followed by the addition of extra acetic acid, establishes a buffer with a pH of approximately 5.

    		•
  • Q : What are diazonium salts? The diazonium

    The diazonium salts are represented by the general formula ArN2 +X where X- ion may be anion such as (Cl) ¨, B ¨r, HSO

    		•
  • Q : Vapour pressure over mercury Choose the

    Choose the right answer from following. At 300 K, when a solute is added to a solvent its vapour pressure over the mercury reduces from 50 mm to 45 mm. The value of mole fraction of solute will be: (a)0.005 (b)0.010 (c)0.100 (d)0.900

    		•