Phenol (苯酚, C6H5OH)  is a colorless needle-like crystal with a special odor,  toxic, it is an important raw material for the production of certain resins, fungicides, preservatives and drugs (such as aspirin). It can also be used for disinfection of surgical instruments and excrement treatment,   skin sterilization, antipruritic and otitis media. It has a melting point of 43°C, slightly soluble in water at room temperature, and easily soluble in organic solvents; when the temperature is higher than 65°C, it can be miscible with water in any ratio. Phenol is corrosive and will cause local protein denaturation after contact. Its solution can be washed on the skin with alcohol.  A small part of phenol is oxidized to quinone by oxygen when exposed to the air, and becomes pink. When ferric ions turn purple, this method is usually used to test phenol.
Chemical properties
It can absorb moisture in the air and liquefy. There is a special smell, and the very dilute solution has a sweet taste. Very corrosive. Strong chemical reaction ability. It reacts with aldehydes and ketones to produce phenolic resin, bisphenol A, and acetic anhydride; salicylic acid reacts to produce phenyl acetate and salicylate. It can also carry out halogenation, hydrogenation, oxidation, alkylation, carboxylation, esterification, etherification and other reactions. Phenol is a solid at normal temperature and cannot react smoothly with sodium. If the phenol is melted by heating and then metal sodium is added to the experiment, the phenol is easily reduced, and the color of the phenol changes during heating, which affects the experimental effect. Someone used the following method to experiment in teaching, the operation is simple, and satisfactory experimental results have been achieved. Add 2-3 ml of anhydrous ether to a test tube, take a piece of metal sodium the size of a soybean grain, use filter paper to absorb the kerosene on the surface, and put it in ether. It can be seen that the sodium does not react with the ether. Then add a small amount of phenol to the test tube and shake it. At this time, it can be observed that the sodium reacts rapidly in the test tube and generates a large amount of gas. The principle of this experiment is that phenol is dissolved in ether, so that the reaction between phenol and sodium can proceed smoothly.
Notes
Health hazards: Phenol has a strong corrosive effect on the skin and mucous membranes, and can inhibit the central nervous system or damage the liver and kidney functions. Acute poisoning: Inhalation of high-concentration vapor can cause headache, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, pulmonary edema, etc. Mistake can cause gastrointestinal burns, burning pain, exhaled breath with phenolic smell, vomit or possibly blood, and gastrointestinal perforation, shock, pulmonary edema, liver or kidney damage, and acute renal failure. Can die of respiratory failure. Eye contact can cause burns. It can be absorbed through burned skin and cause acute renal failure after a certain incubation period. Chronic poisoning: It can cause headache, dizziness, cough, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. In severe cases, it can cause proteinuria. Can cause dermatitis.
Environmental hazards: serious harm to the environment, and can cause pollution to water bodies and the atmosphere.
Explosion hazard: The product is flammable, highly toxic, highly corrosive, and can cause burns to the human body.
First aid measures
1 Skin contact: Take off contaminated clothing immediately, wipe with glycerin, polyethylene glycol or a mixture of polyethylene glycol and alcohol (7:3), and then rinse thoroughly with water. Or rinse with plenty of running water for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention.
2 Eye contact: Lift the eyelid immediately, and rinse thoroughly with plenty of running water or normal saline for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention.
Inhalation: quickly leave the scene to a place with fresh air. Keep the airway unobstructed. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. If breathing stops, give artificial respiration immediately. Seek medical attention.
3 Ingestion: Immediately drink 15-30mL of vegetable oil. Induce vomiting. Seek medical attention.
Fire-fighting measures
1 Hazardous characteristics: It is combustible in case of open flame and high heat.
2 Hazardous combustion products: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide.
3 Fire fighting method: firefighters must wear gas masks and full-body fire fighting clothes, and put out the fire in the upwind direction.
4 Fire extinguishing agent: water, alcohol-resistant foam, dry powder, carbon dioxide.
Leakage emergency response
1 Emergency treatment: Isolate the leaking contaminated area and restrict access. Cut off the fire source. It is recommended that emergency response personnel wear dust masks (full face masks) and gas-proof suits.
2 A small amount of leakage: cover with dry lime and soda ash.
3 Large amount of leakage: collect and recycle or transport to waste disposal site for disposal.
Operational disposal storage
1 Operation precautions: airtight operation, provide sufficient local exhaust. Take quarantine operations as much as possible. Operators must undergo special training and strictly abide by the operating procedures. It is recommended that operators wear self-priming filter dust masks, chemical safety glasses, gas-penetrating anti-virus suits, and chemical-proof gloves. Keep away from fire and heat sources, and smoking is strictly prohibited in the workplace. Use explosion-proof ventilation systems and equipment. Avoid generating dust. Avoid contact with oxidants, acids, alkalis. When handling, load and unload with care to prevent damage to packaging and containers. Equipped with corresponding types and quantities of fire-fighting equipment and leakage emergency treatment equipment. Empty containers may be harmful residues.
2 Storage precautions: Store in a cool, ventilated warehouse. Keep away from fire and heat sources. Avoid light. The storage temperature does not exceed 30℃, and the relative humidity does not exceed 70%. The package is sealed. It should be stored separately from oxidants, acids, alkalis, and edible chemicals, and avoid mixed storage. Equipped with the appropriate variety and quantity of fire equipment. The storage area should be equipped with suitable materials to contain the leakage. The "five pairs" management system for extremely toxic substances should be strictly implemented.
 
Application area
Industry: Phenol is an important organic chemical raw material. It can be used to produce phenolic resin, caprolactam, bisphenol A, salicylic acid, picric acid, pentachlorophenol, 2,4-D, adipic acid, phenolphthalein n-acetyl ethyl Oxyaniline and other chemical products and intermediates have important uses in industries such as chemical raw materials, alkylphenols, synthetic fibers, plastics, synthetic rubber, medicines, pesticides, perfumes, dyes, coatings, and oil refining. In addition, phenol can also be used as a solvent, experimental reagent and disinfectant. An aqueous solution of phenol can separate the protein and DNA on the chromosomes of plant cells, which is convenient for staining DNA.
Medical treatment: 【Usage and Dosage】
1. Disinfection of instruments and treatment of excrement with 1% to 5% aqueous solution.
2. Skin sterilization and antipruritic: Apply 2% ointment to the affected area.
3. For otitis media, use 1% to 2% phenol glycerin to ear drops, 3 times a day.
Widely used in the manufacture of phenolic resins, epoxy resins, nylon fibers, plasticizers, developers, preservatives, pesticides, fungicides, dyes, medicines, spices and explosives, etc.