Phenols
From Free net encyclopedia
In organic chemistry, phenols, sometimes called phenolics, are a class of chemical compounds consisting of a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to an aromatic hydrocarbon group. The simplest of the class is phenol (C6H5OH).
Although similar to alcohols, phenols have unique properties and are not classified as alcohols (since the hydroxyl group is not bonded to a saturated carbon atom). They have relatively higher acidities due to the aromatic ring tightly coupling with the oxygen and a relatively loose bond between the oxygen and hydrogen. The acidity of the hydroxyl group in phenols is commonly intermediate between that of aliphatic alcohols and carboxylic acids. Loss of a positive hydrogen ion (H+) from the hydroxyl group of a phenol forms a negative phenolate ion.
Some phenols are germicidal and are used in formulating disinfectants. Others possess estrogenic or endocrine disrupting activity.
Phenolic compounds
- Phenol - the parent compound, used as an disinfectant and for chemical synthesis
- BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) - a fat-soluble antioxidant and food additive
- Capsaicin - the pungent compound of chilli peppers
- Chavibetol - from betel, used as a flavouring
- Cresols - found in coal tar and creosote
- Estradiol / estrogen - hormones
- Eugenol - the main constituent of the essential oil of clove
- Gallic acid - found in gallnuts
- Guaiacol (2-methoxyphenol) - has a smokey flavor, and isfound in roasted coffee, whisky, and smoke
- 4-Nonylphenol - a breakdown product of detergents and nonoxynol-9
- Orthophenyl phenol - a fungicide used for waxing citrus fruits
- Picric acid (trinitrophenol) - an explosive material
- Phenolphthalein / phenol red / bromothymol blue / thymolphthalein / bromophenol blue - pH indicators
- Polyphenols - e.g. flavonoids and tannins
- Raspberry ketone - a compound with an intense raspberry smell
- Serotonin / dopamine / adrenaline / noradrenaline - natural neurotransmitters
- Thymol (2-Isopropyl-5-methyl phenol) - an antiseptic that is used in mouthwashes
- Tyrosine - an amino acid
Medicinals
- Cannabinoids - the active constituents of cannabis
- Diethylstilbestrol - a synthetic estrogen with a stilbene structure
- L-DOPA - a drug to treat Parkinson's disease
- Methyl salicylate - the major constituent of the essental oil of wintergreen
- Propofol - a short-acting intravenous anesthetic agent
- Psilocin - a hallucinogenic alkaloid of Psilocybe mushrooms
- Salicylic acid - a plant hormone used for its analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties, also a precursor compound to Aspirin
- Trichlorophenol - the main component of TCP, an antiseptic
External links
Template:Unreferencedda:Fenoler de:Phenole et:Fenoolid fr:Phénol (groupe) ko:페놀류 ru:Фенолы zh:酚