Phenols are molecules produced by metabolism with uses in the textile and petroleum industries, as well as for producing chemicals and medicines. Their uses are diverse since they possess very interesting physical and chemical properties. Although their application has some risks outlined in their safety data sheet, they are widely used today.
What are phenols
They are aromatic organic compounds that, in their structure and chemical formula, contain the hydroxyl group. In the environment, they do not exist alone as they are products of the metabolism of living beings.
The production of phenols is achieved through oxidation with air. To do this, isopropylbenzene or cumene is typically used, which is oxidized to form cumene hydroperoxide.
Once this chemical reaction occurs, it is converted into acetone and phenol, both of which also have various industrial and medicinal uses. To obtain them separately, the process called distillation is commonly used.
Contents
Uses
- Produce phenolic resin.
- Manufacture nylon and synthetic fabrics.
- As a fungicide.
- Bactericide.
- Antiseptic.
- As a disinfectant.
The uses of phenols as fungicides or products to eliminate fungi and microorganisms are widespread. At the same time, they have properties to prevent the appearance of fungi and also act against parasites and bacteria. Their properties are also antiseptic, making them useful as disinfectants in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, for application in agriculture or within medical treatments, such as their benefits as a disinfectant.
Medicinal uses
At the same time that it serves as a base for creating materials and substances for industrial use, it is also a key element for medicines and substances beneficial for health. In this case, through the manipulation of phenol, it is possible to produce a very well-known and widely used medicine worldwide, given the properties and benefits of acetylsalicylic acid, also known as Bayer aspirin.
It is also present in the creation of dental hygiene products, such as mouthwashes and gargles. At the same time, its presence can be detected in medications to reduce pain and throat irritation.
Other interesting characteristics include the production of phenol, which is often recommended by dermatologists for performing chemical peels with phenol, which help eliminate scars and marks on the skin.
Relationship with Bisphenol A
In many cases, the two compounds are directly related since one of the uses of phenol is the production of bisphenol A. This resulting chemical is used to produce resins and rubbers that serve to make baby bottles, specifically the nipples, but also plastics for water bottles, canned goods, and even a well-known material such as PVC.
Chemical formula and properties of phenols
- Formula of phenols:
- Semideveloped formula:
- Density: 1070 kg/m3 or 1.07 g/cm3.
- Molar mass: 94.11 g/mol.
- Melting point: 40.5 °C or 314 K.
- Boiling point: 181.7 °C or 455 K).
- Colorless or white.
- Acidity: 9.95 pKa.
- Solubility: 3 g/100 ml at 20 °C.
- Dipole moment: 1.7 D.
- CAS number: 108-92-2
Due to its properties, it is used to manufacture various materials or as a substance to produce other industrial chemicals as well as medicinal preparations. The properties and formula of phenols must be handled with caution, as it is harmful to health. Direct contact with the skin should be avoided, and ingestion should be prevented.
Phenols and alcohols
They are different chemical compounds, although they share some similar characteristics. Both phenols and alcohols have a common base, belonging to the hydroxyl group, although phenols appear when hydrogen atoms are replaced in the benzene ring.
Thus, we can say that phenols are more acidic than alcohols because the aromatic ring or phenoxide ion is more stable. When the group is directly attached to the aromatic ring, it is called “phenols.”
Phenolic
They are organic compounds related because they possess a phenolic ring. Phenolic or phenolcarboxylic acid is a type of molecule whose function is to be secondary metabolites of plants, involved in plant tissues to interact with the environment and live in it.
Plants can live without their presence, which is why they are included in the secondary group. If they were essential, they would be part of the primary group.
Recent studies indicate that secondary metabolites such as phenolics serve to protect plants from insects and natural predators. It is considered an allelopathic agent, meaning a biological substance that the organism produces to allow its survival, either by having positive or negative effects on the attacker.
Currently, there are different products that are part of the so-called phenolic acid, such as ferulic acid, an antioxidant widely used in cosmetics and sunscreens to protect the skin and prevent the harmful effects of solar radiation on the epidermis.
Many of them, phenolic acids, are present in plants, mushrooms, and humus.
Disinfectant phenols
- Chloroxylenol.
- Hexachlorophene.
- Cresol.
- Triclosan.
- Chlorophenol.
- Polyphenols.
- Nitrophenols.
- Biphenols.
- Alkylphenols like thymol and xylenol.
They work by denaturing the proteins of living organisms. By replacing the benzene ring, they become disinfectant phenols. For this, they must be in low concentration. At high concentrations, their potency increases, enhancing their antiseptic and bactericidal properties. The downside is that they become much more toxic and irritating, with high toxicity, so they are rarely used.
Chloroxylenol is a disinfectant phenol that works as a skin antiseptic and loses its effectiveness when it comes into contact with organic tissues.
Hexachlorophene is a potent chemical, toxic to humans as it damages the nervous system, although it is effective in eliminating gram-positive bacteria and less effective against gram-negative ones. It is ineffective against fungi.
Triclosan is very well known because, unlike hexachlorophene, it has good bactericidal properties for both gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. It is an ingredient in many over-the-counter antiseptics, such as body hygiene cosmetics, deodorants, and soaps.
Side effects and toxicity
- Vomiting.
- Cytotoxic or cell-damaging.
- Severe intestinal damage if ingested.
- Permanent skin lesions.
- Respiratory tract irritation.
- Lung, liver, and heart problems.
- Death.
Due to its action in the body in small amounts, it was used as a “lethal injection” to kill people during World War II when the Nazis introduced it as part of their “solution.”
It is important to note that this chemical substance is very harmful to health when exposure is continuous. Damage to the respiratory tract from inhalation, gastrointestinal problems, organ failure, or significant and permanent injuries should be added to the risk of death when interacting with a large quantity. It is crucial to avoid contaminated food as its toxicity is extremely high.
Are polyphenols the same?
Although their name may cause confusion, phenols are different substances from polyphenols. Their chemical structures are not similar, meaning phenol has a phenolic or aromatic ring in the shape of a hexagon, while polyphenols have two or more phenolic rings. However, both polyphenols and phenols are present in plants, where they play a role in protecting and allowing growth in nature.
On the other hand, polyphenols are natural chemical substances with antioxidant properties, such as flavonoids and tannins.