Final answer:
Phenols are aromatic compounds with an OH group, displaying acidic properties in water and forming salts with NaOH. Phenol, the simplest phenol compound, is used widely as an antiseptic.
Step-by-step explanation:
Phenols in Chemistry
Phenols are unique compounds where an OH group is attached directly to an aromatic ring. This structure differs from standard alcohols and bestows phenols with mild acidic properties in water. Upon reaction with aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH), phenols form water-soluble salts. The reaction of ArOH with NaOH yields ArONa and H₂O:
ArOH(aq) + NaOH(aq) → ArONa(aq) + H₂O
The simplest example of a phenol is the parent compound C₆H₅OH, commonly known as phenol or historically as carbolic acid. Phenol itself is a volatile, crystalline solid with a characteristic odor reminiscent of a hospital setting and demonstrates limited solubility in water.
These phenolic compounds play a crucial role not only in organic chemistry but also in various industrial applications, often serving as antiseptics due to their ability to denature proteins and disrupt microbial membranes.