Phenol is an important organic chemical raw material, which is mainly used to make phenolic resin, bisphenol A, pesticide fungicide salicylic acid, herbicide 2,4-D, explosive picric acid, etc. In addition, this product is also a raw material for manufacturing nylon, epoxy resin, coating, paint, perfume, synthetic detergent and plasticizer.
Phenol can denaturate protein, so it has bactericidal effect. It has strong antibacterial activity against many microorganisms, such as Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, Mycobacterium, some fungi and viruses, and has poor bactericidal activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, spores and acid resistant bacteria. Phenol is the most active in acid solution; The increase of temperature can also improve its antibacterial activity; The existence of organic matter will make its activity disappear. Phenol in dilute solution can be used as antiseptic and antiseptic. It has been used in surgery
Phenol is highly corrosive and toxic. It mainly acts on the central nervous system. The lethal dose for adults is about 1 g. It has irritative, anesthetic and necrotic effects on skin and mucous membrane. It is toxic to skin contact, swallowing or inhaling phenol; A small amount of phenol can cause nausea, vomiting, shock, coma and even death due to respiratory failure. The dosage of phenol as preservative is small, so there are less adverse reactions.