Phenol is an aromatic hydrocarbon compound having the chemical formula C6H5OH whereas phenyl is a group of atoms with the formula C6H5. … The key difference between phenol and phenyl is that phenol has a hydroxyl group (-OH) whereas phenyl has no hydroxyl group.
Also, Is phenol a poison?
Phenol is a protoplasmic poison with myriad effects. Its dual hydrophilic and lipophilic properties allow it to easily break through cellular membranes, denaturing proteins along the way, ultimately leading to cell death and necrosis. A caustic effect resulting in coagulation necrosis can also occur.
Likewise, What is phenol used for in medicine? Phenol is used to relieve pain and irritation caused by sore throat, sore mouth, or canker sores. This medicine is available without a prescription; however, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper use and dose for your medical problem.
Actually Why Phenol is used as disinfectant?
Phenolic compounds used as antiseptics or disinfectants include pure phenol and substitution products with halogens and alkyl groups. They act to denature and coagulate proteins and are general protoplasmic poisons. Phenol (carbolic acid) is one of the oldest antiseptic agents.
What are the uses of phenol?
What is phenol used for?
- Phenol Injection. Phenol can be injected into your muscles to treat a condition known as muscle spasticity. …
- Chemical matrixectomy. Phenol is commonly used in surgeries for ingrown toenails. …
- Vaccine preservative.
- Sore throat spray. …
- Oral analgesics. …
- Phenol derivatives. …
- Phenol liquid. …
- Soap and antiseptic.
What makes phenol dangerous?
Toxicity. Phenol and its vapors are corrosive to the eyes, the skin, and the respiratory tract. Its corrosive effect on skin and mucous membranes is due to a protein-degenerating effect. … Since phenol is absorbed through the skin relatively quickly, systemic poisoning can occur in addition to the local caustic burns.
What are the side effects of phenol?
Phenol topical Side Effects
- Difficulty with breathing.
- nausea.
- rash.
- swelling.
- vomiting.
- worsening of pain, redness, swelling, or irritation in or around the mouth.
Why does phenol burn skin?
Overview. The major hazard of phenol is its ability to penetrate the skin rapidly, causing severe burns. Toxic and even fatal amounts of phenol can be absorbed through relatively small areas of skin. Due to its local anesthetizing properties, skin burns may be painless.
Is phenol a disinfectant?
Phenol is an antiseptic and disinfectant. It is active against a wide range of micro-organisms including some fungi and viruses, but is only slowly effective against spores. Phenol has been used to disinfect skin and to relieve itching.
Is phenol an antibiotic?
Among the polyphenols, flavanols, flavonols and phenolic acids possess the highest antibacterial activity thanks to the ability to (1) inhibit bacterial virulence factors such as enzymes and toxins, (2) interact with cytoplasmic membrane (3) suppress biofilm formation and (4) exert a synergistic effect with antibiotics …
What are examples of phenols?
Classification
| Phenol | the parent compound, used as a disinfectant and for chemical synthesis |
|---|---|
| Orthophenyl phenol | a fungicide used for waxing citrus fruits |
| Picric acid | (trinitrophenol) – an explosive material |
| Phenolphthalein | pH indicator |
| Xylenol | used in antiseptics & disinfectants |
Is phenol the best disinfectant?
Phenol (carbolic acid) is one of the oldest antiseptic agents. … Phenol has good penetrating power into organic matter and is mainly used for disinfection of equipment or organic materials that are to be destroyed (eg, infected food and excreta).
What is an example of a disinfectant?
Medical Definition of disinfectant
Note: Common chemical disinfectants include chlorine, calcium and sodium hypochlorite, iodophor, phenol, ethanol, and quaternary ammonium compounds. Disinfectants are often distinguished from sterilants by having reduced effectiveness against dormant bacterial endospores.
What are phenols give an example?
Phenols are compounds in which the ⎯OH group is directly attached to an aromatic ring and are designated as ArOH. Phenol differs from alcohol in that the former is slightly acidic in water and reacts with aqueous sodium hydroxide to form salts. Example: C6H5OH, the parent compound, is called phenol.
How dangerous is phenol?
Exposure to phenol may cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and nervous system. Some symptoms of exposure to phenol are weight loss, weakness, exhaustion, muscle aches, and pain. Severe exposure can cause liver and/or kidney damage, skin burns, tremor, convulsions, and twitching.
Does phenol cause cancer?
Short-term application of phenol to the skin has produced blisters and burns in animals. Cancer There is no evidence that phenol causes cancer in humans. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the EPA determined that phenol is not classifiable as to human carcinogenicity.
Can a drop of phenol kill you?
Toxic and even fatal amounts of phenol can be absorbed through relatively small areas of skin. Due to its local anesthetizing properties, skin burns may be painless. Phenol may be fatal if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
What does phenol do to your body?
Phenol is considered to be quite toxic to humans via oral exposure. Anorexia, progressive weight loss, diarrhea, vertigo, salivation, a dark coloration of the urine, and blood and liver effects have been reported in chronically (long-term) exposed humans.
Are onions high in phenols?
Vegetables with high numbers of polyphenols include: artichokes, with 260 mg polyphenols. chicory, with 166–235 mg polyphenols. red onions, with 168 mg polyphenols.
What does phenol do to the heart?
The fall of blood-pressure after large doses of phenol is due to depression of the heart muscle and dilatation of the blood vessels. With small doses the increase of blood-pressure is due to stimulation of the heart muscle or of the vaso-motor center.
What happens when phenol touches skin?
Absorption of phenol through skin can result in phenol toxicity with symptoms including muscle weakness, tremors, loss of coordination, shock, sudden collapse, coma, convulsions, organ damage and death. When phenol contacts the skin, a white covering of precipitated protein forms.
What to do if phenol falls on skin?
First Aid – Skin Contact
- Remove any contaminated clothing immediately. …
- Flush the affected skin area with copious amounts of water for a minimum of 15 minutes to remove any phenol which may be lying on the surface of the skin (not yet absorbed).
What happens if phenol falls on eyes?
Eye: Splashes with phenol may cause severe damage and possibly blindness. Ingestion: May produce vomiting, nausea coma and death.
