--%>

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 : 6. 20 gm of hydrogen is present in 5

    6. 20 gm of hydrogen is present in 5 litre vessel. The molar concentration of hydrogen is

  • Q : Relationship between Pressure and

    The pressure-temperature relation for solid-vapor or liquid vapor equilibrium is expressed by the Clausis-Clapeyron equation.We now obtain an expression for the pressure-temperature dependence of the state of equilibrium between two phases. To be specific,

  • Q : Depression in the freezing point When

    When 0.01 mole of sugar is dissolved in 100g of a solvent, the depression in freezing point is 0.40o. When 0.03 mole of glucose is dissolved in 50g of the same solvent, depression in the freezing point will be:(a) 0.60o  (b) 0.80o

  • Q : Calculating amount of Sodium hydroxide

    Choose the right answer from following. The amount of NaOH in gms in 250cm3 of a0.100M NaOH solution would be : (a) 4 gm (b) 2 gm (c) 1 gm (d) 2.5 gm

  • Q : Molality of a glucose solution What

    What will be the molality of a solution containing 18g of glucose (having mol. wt. = 180) dissolved in 500g of water: (i) 1m  (ii) 0.5m  (iii) 0.2m  (iv) 2m

  • Q : Explain group 15 elements. The various

    The various elements

  • 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 : Numerical The volume of water to be

    The volume of water to be added to 100cm3 of 0.5 N N H2SO4 to get decinormal concentration is : (a) 400 cm3 (b) 500cm3 (c) 450cm3 (d)100cm3

  • Q : Meaning of molality of a solution The

    The molality of a solution will be: (i) Number of moles of solute per 1000 ml of solvent (ii) Number of moles of solute per 1000 gm of solvent (iii) Number of moles of solute per 1000 ml of solution (iv) Number of gram equivalents of solute per 1000 m

  • Q : Molecular weight of substance The

    The boiling point of a solution of 0.11 gm of a substance in 15 gm of ether was found to be 0.1oC higher than that of the pure ether. The molecular weight of the substance will be (Kb = 2.16)       (a) 148 &nbs