4-Ethylphenol, often abbreviated to 4-EP, is a phenolic compound with the formula C8H10O. It is colorless or white needles with a powerful woody-phenolic and yet somewhat sweet odor and tends to be yellow on exposure to light. It is slightly solouble in water, solouble in alcohol, ether and benzene and carbon disulfide. It is found in arabica coffee and can be produced in wine and beer by the spoilage yeast Brettanomyces. It is the starting material for the production of 4-vinylphenol and of various antioxidants and can also be used as an intermediate for pharmaceuticals and dyes.
