Description

Phenols are a broad class of organic compounds in which one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups are directly attached to an aromatic hydrocarbon ring (usually a benzene ring). The simplest and most famous member of this family is phenol itself (also known as carbolic acid).

Appearance: Colorless-to-white crystalline solid that turns pink when exposed to air and light.
Odor: Distinct sickeningly sweet, tarry smell.
Acidity: Weakly acidic (pH 5–6), capable of reacting with strong bases to form water-soluble phenoxides.
Solubility: Appreciably soluble in water due to hydrogen bonding, though it becomes less soluble as the hydrophobic hydrocarbon structure increases.