Phenol is a chemical organic substance, a hydrocarbon. Other names are carbolic acid, hydroxybenzene. It is of natural and industrial origin. What is phenol and what is its significance in human life?

Origin of matter, chemical and physical properties

The chemical formula of phenol is c6h5oh. In appearance, the substance resembles crystals in the form of needles, transparent, with a white tint. In the open air, when interacting with oxygen, the color becomes light pink. The substance has a characteristic odor. Phenol smells like gouache paint.

Natural phenols are antioxidants that are present in varying amounts in all plants. They determine the color, aroma, protect plants from harmful insects. Natural phenol is beneficial for the human body. It is found in olive oil, cocoa beans, fruits, nuts. But there are also poisonous compounds, for example, tannin.

The chemical industry produces these substances by synthesis. They are poisonous and highly toxic. Phenol is dangerous to humans, and the industrial scale of its production significantly pollutes the environment.

Physical properties:

• phenol is normally soluble in water, alcohol, alkali;
• has a low melting point, turns into a gas at 40°C;
• in its properties, it resembles alcohol in many respects;
• has high acidity and solubility;
• at room temperature are in a solid state;
• the smell of phenol is sharp.

How are phenols used?

More than 40% of substances are used in the chemical industry to obtain other organic compounds, mainly resins. Also from it artificial fibers - kapron, nylon. The substance is used in the oil refining industry to purify oils that are used in drilling rigs and other technological facilities.

Phenol is used in the production of paints and varnishes, plastics, chemicals and pesticides. In veterinary medicine, agricultural animals are treated with a substance on farms to prevent infections.

The use of phenol in the pharmaceutical industry is significant. It is part of many drugs:

• antiseptics;
• painkillers;
• antiplatelet agents (thin the blood);
• as a preservative for the production of vaccines;
• in cosmetology as part of preparations for chemical peeling.

In genetic engineering, phenol is used to purify DNA and isolate it from the cell.

The toxic effect of phenol

Phenol is poison. According to its toxicity, the compound belongs to the 2nd hazard class. This means that it is highly hazardous to the environment. The degree of impact on living organisms is high. The substance is capable of causing serious damage to the ecological system. The minimum recovery period after the action of phenol is at least 30 years, provided that the source of pollution is completely eliminated.

Synthetic phenol has a negative effect on the human body. Toxic effect of the compound on organs and systems:

1. When inhaled or swallowed, the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, upper respiratory tract, and eyes are affected.
2. Skin contact results in phenol burns.
3. With deep penetration causes tissue necrosis.
4. It has a pronounced toxic effect on internal organs. With kidney damage, it causes pyelonephritis, destroys the structure of red blood cells, which leads to oxygen starvation. Can cause allergic dermatitis.
5. When phenol is inhaled in high concentrations, the work of brain activity is disturbed, it can lead to respiratory arrest.

The mechanism of the toxic action of phenols is to change the structure of the cell and, as a result, its functioning. Neurons (nerve cells) are most susceptible to toxic substances.

Maximum Permissible Concentration (MAC of phenol):

• the maximum single dose in the atmosphere for populated areas is 0.01 mg / m³, which is kept in the air for half an hour;
• the average daily dose in the atmosphere for populated areas is 0.003 mg/m³;
• The lethal dose when ingested is 1 to 10 g for adults and 0.05 to 0.5 g for children.

Symptoms of phenol poisoning

The harm of phenol to a living organism has long been proven. Upon contact with the skin or mucous membranes, the compound is rapidly absorbed, overcomes the hematogenous barrier and spreads throughout the body with blood.

The brain is the first to react to the effects of poison. Signs of poisoning in humans:

• Psyche. Initially, the patient experiences a slight excitation, which does not last long and is replaced by irritation. Then comes apathy, indifference to what is happening around, the person is in a depressed state.
• Nervous system. Growing general weakness, lethargy, loss of strength. Tactile sensitivity is smeared, but the reaction to light and sounds is aggravated. The victim feels nausea, which is not related to the work of the digestive system. Dizziness appears, the headache becomes more intense. Severe poisoning can lead to convulsions and unconsciousness.
• Skin covers. The skin becomes pale and cold to the touch, in severe condition it acquires a blue tint.
• Respiratory system. When even small doses enter the body, a person develops shortness of breath and rapid breathing. Due to irritation of the nasal mucosa, the victim has continuous sneezing. With moderate poisoning, a cough and spastic contractions of the larynx develop. In severe cases, the threat of spasm of the trachea and bronchi increases and, as a result, suffocation, leading to death.

Circumstances under which poisoning can occur - violation of safety regulations when working with especially dangerous substances, an overdose of drugs, household poisoning with detergents and cleaning products, as a result of an accident.

If the house contains low-quality furniture, children's toys that do not meet international safety standards, the walls are painted with paint not intended for these purposes, then a person constantly inhales outgoing phenol vapors. In this case, chronic poisoning develops. Its main symptom is chronic fatigue syndrome.

First Aid Principles

The first thing to do is to interrupt the contact of a person with a poisonous source.

Take the victim out of the room to fresh air, unfasten buttons, locks, zippers to better provide oxygen access.

If the phenol solution comes into contact with clothing, remove it immediately. Rinse the affected skin and mucous membranes of the eyes repeatedly and thoroughly with running water.

If phenol enters the oral cavity, do not swallow anything, but rinse your mouth immediately for 10 minutes. If the substance managed to get into the stomach, you can drink the sorbent with a glass of water:

• activated or white charcoal;
• enterosorb;
• enterosgel;
• sorbex;
• carbolene;
• polysorb;
• Lactofiltrum.

You can not wash the stomach, as this procedure will increase the degree of burn and increase the area of ​​\u200b\u200bmucosal damage.

Phenol antidote - calcium gluconate solution for intravenous administration. In case of poisoning of any severity, the victim is taken to the hospital for observation and treatment.

It is possible to remove phenol from the body in a hospital with severe poisoning by the following methods:

1. Hemosorption - cleansing the blood with a special sorbent that binds the molecules of a toxic substance. The blood is purified by running in a special apparatus.
2. Detoxification therapy is an intravenous infusion of solutions that dilute the concentration of a substance in the blood and promote its natural excretion from the body (through the kidneys).
3. Hemodialysis is indicated in severe cases when there is a potential threat to life. The procedure is carried out using an "artificial kidney" apparatus, in which blood passes through special membranes and leaves the molecules of a poisonous substance. The blood returns to the body clean and saturated with useful microelements.

Phenol is a synthetic toxic substance that is dangerous to humans. Even a compound of natural origin can be harmful to health. To avoid poisoning, it is necessary to take responsibility for work in production, where there is a risk of contact with poison. When shopping, be interested in the composition of products. The unpleasant smell of plastic products should alert. When using drugs containing phenol, observe the prescribed dosage.

Phenols - organic substances whose molecules contain a phenyl radical associated with one or more hydroxo groups. Just like alcohols phenols classify by atomicity, i.e. by the number of hydroxyl groups.

Monatomic phenols contain one hydroxyl group in the molecule:

Polyhydric phenols contain more than one hydroxyl group in the molecules:

There are also polyhydric phenols containing three or more hydroxyl groups in the benzene ring.

Let's get acquainted in more detail with the structure and properties of the simplest representative of this class - phenol C 6 H 5 OH. The name of this substance formed the basis for the name of the entire cash register - phenols.

Physical properties of phenol

Phenol is a solid, colorless crystalline substance, melting point=43°C, boiling point=181°C, with a sharp characteristic odor. Poisonous. Phenol slightly dissolves in water at room temperature. An aqueous solution of phenol is called carbolic acid. On contact with the skin, it causes burns, therefore, phenol must be handled very carefully!

Chemical properties of phenol

Phenols are more active in most O–H bond reactions, since this bond is more polar due to the shift of the electron density from the oxygen atom towards the benzene ring (participation of the lone electron pair of the oxygen atom in the p-conjugation system). The acidity of phenols is much higher than that of alcohols. For phenols, C-O bond breaking reactions are not typical, since the oxygen atom is firmly bonded to the carbon atom of the benzene ring due to the participation of its lone electron pair in the conjugation system. The mutual influence of atoms in the phenol molecule is manifested not only in the behavior of the hydroxy group, but also in the greater reactivity of the benzene ring. The hydroxyl group increases the electron density in the benzene ring, especially in the ortho and para positions (OH groups)

Acid properties of phenol

The hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group is acidic. Because Since the acidic properties of phenol are more pronounced than those of water and alcohols, then phenol reacts not only with alkali metals, but also with alkalis to form phenolates:

The acidity of phenols depends on the nature of the substituents (electron density donor or acceptor), position relative to the OH group, and the number of substituents. The greatest influence on the OH-acidity of phenols is exerted by groups located in the ortho- and para-positions. Donors increase the strength of the O-H bond (thereby reducing hydrogen mobility and acidic properties), acceptors reduce the strength of the O-H bond, while acidity increases:

However, the acidic properties of phenol are less pronounced than those of inorganic and carboxylic acids. So, for example, the acidic properties of phenol are about 3000 times less than those of carbonic acid. Therefore, by passing carbon dioxide through an aqueous solution of sodium phenolate, free phenol can be isolated.

Adding hydrochloric or sulfuric acid to an aqueous solution of sodium phenolate also leads to the formation of phenol:

Qualitative reaction to phenol

Phenol reacts with iron(3) chloride to form an intensely purple complex compound. This reaction allows it to be detected even in very limited quantities. Other phenols containing one or more hydroxyl groups in the benzene ring also give a bright blue-violet color in reaction with iron(3) chloride.

Reactions of the benzene ring of phenol

The presence of a hydroxyl substituent greatly facilitates the course of electrophilic substitution reactions in the benzene ring.

1. Bromination of phenol. Unlike benzene, phenol bromination does not require the addition of a catalyst (iron(3) bromide). In addition, the interaction with phenol proceeds selectively (selectively): bromine atoms are sent to ortho- And pair- positions, replacing the hydrogen atoms located there. The selectivity of the substitution is explained by the features of the electronic structure of the phenol molecule discussed above.

So, when phenol interacts with bromine water, a white precipitate of 2,4,6-tribromophenol is formed:

This reaction, as well as the reaction with iron(3) chloride, serves to qualitative detection of phenol.

2.Phenol nitration also occurs more easily than the nitration of benzene. The reaction with dilute nitric acid proceeds at room temperature. The result is a mixture ortho- And paro isomers of nitrophenol:

When using concentrated nitric acid, 2,4,6, trinitritephenol-picric acid, an explosive is formed:

3. Hydrogenation of the aromatic ring of phenol in the presence of a catalyst passes easily:

4.Polycondensation of phenol with aldehydes, in particular, with formaldehyde occurs with the formation of reaction products - phenol-formaldehyde resins and solid polymers.

The interaction of phenol with formaldehyde can be described by the scheme:

The dimer molecule retains “mobile” hydrogen atoms, which means that the reaction can be continued further with a sufficient amount of reagents:

Reaction polycondensation, those. the polymer production reaction, proceeding with the release of a low-molecular by-product (water), can continue further (until one of the reagents is completely consumed) with the formation of huge macromolecules. The process can be described by the overall equation:

The formation of linear molecules occurs at ordinary temperature. Carrying out the same reaction during heating leads to the fact that the resulting product has a branched structure, it is solid and insoluble in water. As a result of heating a phenol-formaldehyde resin of a linear structure with an excess of aldehyde, solid plastic masses with unique properties are obtained. Polymers based on phenol-formaldehyde resins are used for the manufacture of varnishes and paints, plastic products that are resistant to heating, cooling, water, alkalis, acids. They have high dielectric properties. Polymers based on phenol-formaldehyde resins are used to make the most critical and important parts of electrical appliances, power unit cases and machine parts, the polymer base of printed circuit boards for radio devices. Adhesives based on phenol-formaldehyde resins are able to reliably connect parts of various nature, maintaining the highest bond strength in a very wide temperature range. Such an adhesive is used to fasten the metal base of lighting lamps to a glass bulb. Thus, phenol and products based on it are widely used.

The use of phenols

Phenol is a solid substance with a characteristic odor that causes burns when it comes into contact with the skin. Poisonous. It dissolves in water, its solution is called carbolic acid (antiseptic). She was the first antiseptic introduced into surgery. It is widely used for the production of plastics, medicines (salicylic acid and its derivatives), dyes, explosives.

Compounds with one or more hydroxyl groups attached to the benzene ring; are called phenols. The most important of these is phenol itself:

Phenol was discovered in 1834 when it was isolated from coal tar. At first it was called carbolic acid, and this name is still used today for liquid phenol containing 5% water. Phenol received its current name in 1841.

All the simplest phenols under normal conditions are solids with a low melting point. Phenol is a colorless crystalline substance with a melting point of 43°C. It has a characteristic smell. Like alcohols, phenols have higher boiling points than would be expected from their relative molecular weight. This is due to the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds in phenols. It has already been noted above that 2-nitrophenol has a lower boiling point than 4-nitrophenol. This is explained by the existence of an intramolecular hydrogen bond in the first of these compounds, while the second compound has intermolecular hydrogen bonds, which make it less volatile (see Section 2.2).

Phenols are poorly soluble in water, but highly soluble in organic solvents, in particular alcohols and ethers. Phenol is limitedly miscible with water only at temperatures below 66°C. Above 66°C, phenol is miscible with water in any proportion (see Figure 6.22 and Section 6.2).

Laboratory methods for obtaining

To obtain phenol in laboratory conditions, an anhydrous sodium salt of benzenesulfonic acid is fused at 300-350 ° C with solid sodium hydroxide, and then dilute hydrochloric acid is added to the mixture:

Benzenesulfonic acid is prepared by the sulfonation of benzene (see section 18.2). Neutralization of this acid with sodium hydroxide leads to the formation of its sodium salt.

Phenol is also obtained by heating above 10 ° C an aqueous solution of phenyldiazonium chloride:

Phenyldiazonium chloride is obtained by diazotization of phenylamine (see section 19.4).

Chemical properties of phenols

Reactions of the hydroxyl group. Acidity. Phenol has an acidity constant of 9.95. Thus, it has the properties of a weak acid, although stronger than methanol, ethanol and water (see table. 19.4). The phenolation formed as a result of ion cleavage is stabilized due to delocalization

negative charge:

It can be considered as a hybrid of the indicated resonance forms (see sections 2.1 and 18.2).

Like alcohols, phenol reacts with highly electropositive metals such as sodium to release hydrogen:

However, unlike alcohols, phenols react with sodium hydroxide:

Phenol is not as acidic as carboxylic acids. Carboxylic acids, such as acetic or benzoic, are able to displace carbon dioxide from sodium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate, but phenol is not. This reaction is used for analytical purposes to distinguish carboxylic acids from phenols.

The formation of esters. Although phenol does not react with carboxylic acids to form esters, it does react with carboxylic acid chlorides in alkaline solutions:

This type of reaction is called acylation.

The formation of ethers. Phenol reacts with haloalkanes in an alkaline medium, forming ethers:

This reaction is an example of the Williamson synthesis (see previous section).

Reaction with phosphorus pentachloride. Unlike alcohols, phenol does not react with hydrogen halides and phosphorus trihalides. However, it reacts slowly with phosphorus pentachloride to form chlorobenzene in low yield:

Reaction with iron (III) chloride. When a neutral solution of iron (III) chloride is added to phenol, a complex is formed that has a purple color. This reaction is used as an analytical test for phenol. This reaction is characteristic of compounds containing an enol group.

Reaction in the benzene ring. The benzene ring in the phenol molecule undergoes electrophilic substitution more easily than benzene itself. This is due to the fact that non-bonding electrons on the oxygen atom are drawn into the benzene ring and thereby activate it. The hydroxyl group of phenol has a 2,4-directing effect on electrophilic substituents (see section 18.2).

Halogenation. The halogenation of phenols is carried out under much milder conditions than the halogenation of benzene. For example, when bromine water is added to an aqueous solution of phenol, a white precipitate of 2,4,6-tribromophenol is formed:

In sec. 18.2 it was stated that the bromination of benzene requires the presence of a catalyst.

Nitration. Phenol can be nitrated with dilute nitric acid. In this case, a mixture of 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol is formed:

Let us again compare these mild conditions with the conditions for the corresponding reaction of benzene. The nitration of benzene is required to be carried out in a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid (see Section 18.2).

2-nitrophenol and 4-nitrophenol are stronger acids than phenol. Both of them are characterized by values ​​approximately equal to 7.2. The increased acidity of nitrophenols is explained by the fact that the nitro group draws electrons towards itself. As a result, the benzene ring pulls electrons more strongly from the oxygen atom of the hydroxyl group.

Sulfonation. The reaction of phenol with concentrated sulfuric acid leads to the formation of a mixture of hydroxybenzenesulfonic acids:

Hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid (yield 85%)

Both products of this reaction react with concentrated nitric acid, forming 2,4,6-trinitrophenol - a yellow crystalline substance, known by the trivial name "picric acid":

Due to the common electron-withdrawing action of the three nitro groups, picric acid is a relatively strong acid. It is characterized by an acidity constant close to 1, and when interacting with a solution of sodium carbonate, it displaces carbon dioxide from it.

Combination reactions. An alkaline solution of phenol reacts with a solution of phenyldiazonium chloride, resulting in the formation of an orange precipitate of 4-hydroxyphenylazo-benzene:

This product is an azo dye. A reaction of this type is called a coupling reaction (in this case, an azo coupling).

Based on benzene. Under normal conditions, they are solid toxic substances with a specific aroma. In modern industry, these chemical compounds play an important role. In terms of use, phenol and its derivatives are among the twenty most demanded chemical compounds in the world. They are widely used in the chemical and light industries, pharmaceuticals and energy. Therefore, the production of phenol on an industrial scale is one of the main tasks of the chemical industry.

Phenol designations

The original name of phenol is carbolic acid. Later, this compound learned the name "phenol". The formula of this substance is shown in the figure:

The phenol atoms are numbered starting from the carbon atom that is connected to the OH hydroxo group. The sequence continues in such order that the other substituted atoms receive the lowest numbers. Phenol derivatives exist as three elements whose characteristics are explained by the difference in their structural isomers. Various ortho-, meta-, paracresols are only a modification of the basic structure of the compound of the benzene ring and the hydroxyl group, the basic combination of which is phenol. The formula of this substance in chemical notation looks like C 6 H 5 OH.

Physical properties of phenol

Visually, phenol is a solid colorless crystals. In the open air, they oxidize, giving the substance a characteristic pink tint. Under normal conditions, phenol is rather poorly soluble in water, but with an increase in temperature to 70 ° C, this figure increases sharply. In alkaline solutions, this substance is soluble in any quantities and at any temperature.

These properties are also preserved in other compounds, the main component of which is phenols.

Chemical properties

The unique properties of phenol are explained by its internal structure. In the molecule of this chemical, the p-orbital of oxygen forms a single p-system with the benzene ring. This tight interaction increases the electron density of the aromatic ring and lowers that of the oxygen atom. In this case, the polarity of the bonds of the hydroxo group increases significantly, and the hydrogen in its composition is easily replaced by any alkali metal. This is how various phenolates are formed. These compounds do not decompose with water, like alcoholates, but their solutions are very similar to salts of strong bases and weak acids, so they have a fairly pronounced alkaline reaction. Phenolates interact with various acids, as a result of the reaction, phenols are reduced. The chemical properties of this compound allow it to interact with acids, thus forming esters. For example, the interaction of phenol and acetic acid leads to the formation of phenyl ester (phenyacetate).

The nitration reaction is widely known, in which, under the influence of 20% nitric acid, phenol forms a mixture of para- and orthonitrophenols. If phenol is treated with concentrated nitric acid, 2,4,6-trinitrophenol is obtained, which is sometimes called picric acid.

Phenol in nature

As an independent substance, phenol is found in nature in coal tar and in certain grades of oil. But for industrial needs, this amount does not play any role. Therefore, obtaining phenol artificially has become a priority for many generations of scientists. Fortunately, this problem was solved and artificial phenol was obtained as a result.

properties, getting

The use of various halogens makes it possible to obtain phenolates, from which benzene is formed during further processing. For example, heating sodium hydroxide and chlorobenzene produces sodium phenolate, which decomposes into salt, water, and phenol when exposed to acid. The formula for this reaction is given here:

C 6 H 5 -CI + 2NaOH -> C 6 H 5 -ONa + NaCl + H 2 O

Aromatic sulfonic acids are also a source for the production of benzene. The chemical reaction is carried out with the simultaneous melting of alkali and sulfonic acid. As can be seen from the reaction, phenoxides are formed first. When treated with strong acids, they are reduced to polyhydric phenols.

Phenol in industry

In theory, obtaining phenol in the simplest and most promising way looks like this: using a catalyst, benzene is oxidized with oxygen. But so far, the catalyst for this reaction has not been found. Therefore, other methods are currently used in industry.

A continuous industrial method for producing phenol consists in the interaction of chlorobenzene and 7% sodium hydroxide solution. The resulting mixture is passed through a one and a half kilometer system of pipes heated to a temperature of 300 C. Under the influence of temperature and maintained high pressure, the starting materials react to obtain 2,4-dinitrophenol and other products.

Not so long ago, an industrial method for obtaining phenol-containing substances by the cumene method was developed. This process consists of two stages. First, isopropylbenzene (cumene) is obtained from benzene. To do this, benzene is alkylated with propylene. The reaction looks like this:

After that, the cumene is oxidized with oxygen. The output of the second reaction is phenol and another important product, acetone.

Production of phenol on an industrial scale is possible from toluene. To do this, toluene is oxidized on the oxygen contained in the air. The reaction proceeds in the presence of a catalyst.

Examples of phenols

The closest homologues of phenols are called cresols.

There are three types of cresols. Meta-cresol under normal conditions is a liquid, para-cresol and ortho-cresol are solids. All cresols are poorly soluble in water, and in their chemical properties they are almost similar to phenol. Cresols are naturally found in coal tar, they are used in industry in the production of dyes and some types of plastics.

Examples of dihydric phenols are para-, ortho- and meta-hydrobenzenes. All of them are solids, readily soluble in water.

The only representative of trihydric phenol is pyrogallol (1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene). Its formula is shown below.

Pyrogallol is a fairly strong reducing agent. It is easily oxidized, so it is used to obtain gases purified from oxygen. This substance is well known to photographers, it is used as a developer.

They can be found in nature, but those that are obtained artificially are best known to man. They are now widely used in the chemical industry, construction, plastics and even medicine. Due to the high toxic properties, the stability of its compounds and the ability to penetrate the human body through the skin and respiratory organs, phenol poisoning often occurs. Therefore, this substance was classified as a highly dangerous toxic compound and its use was strictly regulated.

What are phenols

Naturally occurring and artificially produced. Natural phenols can be useful - it is an antioxidant, polyphenols, which make some plants healing for humans. And synthetic phenols are toxic substances. If it comes into contact with the skin, they cause a burn, if they enter the human body, they cause severe poisoning. These complex compounds, related to volatile aromatic hydrocarbons, pass into a gaseous state already at a temperature of just over 40 degrees. But under normal conditions, it is a transparent crystalline substance with a specific smell.

The definition of phenol is studied at school in the course of organic chemistry. This refers to its composition, molecular structure and harmful properties. Many do not know anything about the natural substances of this group, which play a large role in nature. How can phenol be characterized? The composition of this chemical compound is very simple: a molecule of the benzoic group, hydrogen and oxygen.

Types of phenols

These substances are present in many plants. They provide color to their stems, scent flowers, or repel pests. There are also synthetic compounds that are poisonous. These substances include:

1. Natural phenolic compounds are capsaicin, eugenol, flavonoids, lignins and others.
2. The most famous and poisonous phenol is carbolic acid.
3. Compounds butylphenol, chlorophenol.
4. Creosote, Lysol and others.

But basically, only two names are known to ordinary people: and phenol itself.

Properties of these compounds

These chemicals are not only toxic. They are used by people for a reason. To determine what qualities phenol has, the composition is very important. The combination of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen gives it special properties. That is why phenol is so widely used by man. The properties of this connection are:

The role of phenols in nature

These substances are found in many plants. They are involved in creating their color and aroma. Capsaicin gives hot peppers its pungency. Anthocyanins and flavonoids color the bark of trees, while ketol or eugenol provide fragrance to the flowers. Some plants contain polyphenols, substances formed by the combination of several phenol molecules. They are beneficial to human health. Polyphenols include lignins, flavonoids, and others. These substances are found in olive oil, fruits, nuts, tea, chocolate and other foods. It is believed that some of them have a rejuvenating effect and protect the body from cancer. But there are also poisonous compounds: tannins, urushiol, carbolic acid.

The harm of phenols to humans

This substance and all its derivatives easily penetrate the body through the skin and lungs. In the blood, phenol forms compounds with other substances and becomes even more toxic. The higher its concentration in the body, the more harm it can cause. Phenol disrupts the activity of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, affects the liver and kidneys. It destroys red blood cells, causes allergic reactions and ulcers.

Most often, phenol poisoning occurs through drinking water, as well as through the air in rooms in which its derivatives were used in construction, paint production or furniture.

When inhaled, its compounds cause irritation of the nasopharynx and even pulmonary edema. If phenol gets on the skin, a severe chemical burn is obtained, after which poorly healing ulcers develop. And if more than a quarter of a person's skin is affected, this leads to his death. In case of accidental ingestion of small doses of phenol, for example, with contaminated water, stomach ulcers, incoordination, infertility, heart failure, bleeding and cancerous tumors develop. Large doses immediately lead to death.

Where are phenols used?

After the discovery of this substance, its ability to change color in air was discovered. This quality began to be used for the production of dyes. But then other properties were discovered. And the substance phenol has become widely used in human activities:

Application in medicine

When the bactericidal properties of phenol were discovered, it was widely used in medicine. Mainly for disinfection of premises, tools and even the hands of personnel. In addition, phenols are the main components of some popular drugs: aspirin, purgen, drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis, fungal diseases and various antiseptics, such as xeroform.

Now phenol is often used in cosmetology for deep skin peeling. In this case, its property is used to burn the upper layer of the epidermis.

The use of phenol for disinfection

There is also a special preparation in the form of an ointment and a solution for external use. It is used to disinfect things and surfaces in the room, tools and linen. Under the supervision of a doctor, phenol is used to treat genital warts, pyoderma, impetigo, folliculitis, purulent wounds and other skin diseases. The solution in combination with is used for disinfection of premises, soaking linen. If you mix it with kerosene or turpentine, then it acquires pest control properties.

Large areas of the skin, as well as rooms intended for cooking and storing food, cannot be treated with phenol.

How can you get poisoned with phenol

The lethal dosage of this substance for an adult can be from 1 g, and for a child - 0.05 g. Phenol poisoning can occur for the following reasons:

• in case of non-observance of safety precautions when working with toxic substances;
• in case of an accident;
• in case of non-compliance with the dosage of medicines;
• when using plastic products with phenol, such as toys or dishes;
• with improper storage of household chemicals.

In acute cases, they are immediately visible and you can help the person. But the danger of phenol is that when small doses are received, this can be overlooked. Therefore, if a person lives in a room where finishing materials, paints and varnishes or furniture that emit phenol were used, chronic poisoning occurs.

Symptoms of poisoning

It is very important to recognize the problem in time. This will help to start treatment on time and prevent death. The main symptoms are the same as for any other poisoning: nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dizziness. But there are also characteristic signs by which you can find out that a person was poisoned with phenol:

• characteristic odor from the mouth;
• fainting;
• a sharp decrease in body temperature;
• dilated pupils;
• pallor;
• dyspnea;
• cold sweat;
• decrease in heart rate and blood pressure;
• stomach ache;
• bloody diarrhea;
• white patches on the lips.

You also need to know the signs of chronic poisoning. When small doses enter the body, there are no pronounced signs of this. But phenol undermines the state of health. Symptoms of chronic poisoning are:

• frequent migraines, headaches;
• nausea;
• dermatitis and allergic reactions;
• insomnia;
• intestinal disorders;
• severe fatigue;
• irritability.

First aid and poisoning treatment

The victim must be given first aid and taken to the doctor as soon as possible. The measures to be taken immediately after contact with phenol depend on the place of its entry into the body:

1. In case of contact with the skin, rinse with plenty of water, do not treat burns with ointment or fat.
2. If phenol gets on the oral mucosa - rinse, do not swallow anything.
3. If it enters the stomach, drink a sorbent, for example, coal, "Polysorb", it is not recommended to wash the stomach in order to avoid burning the mucous membrane.

In a medical institution, the treatment of poisoning is complex and lengthy. Lung ventilation, disintoxication therapy is carried out, an antidote is introduced - calcium gluconate, sorbents, antibiotics, heart drugs are used,

Safety rules when using phenols

Sanitary and epidemiological standards in all countries have established the maximum permissible level of phenol concentration in indoor air. A safe dose is 0.6 mg per 1 kg of human weight. But these standards do not take into account that with regular intake of even such a concentration of phenol in the body, it gradually accumulates and can cause serious harm to health. This substance can be released into the air from plastic products, paints, furniture, building and finishing materials, and cosmetics. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully monitor the composition of the purchased products and, if there is an unpleasant sweet smell from some thing, it is better to get rid of it. When using phenol for disinfection, it is necessary to strictly observe the dosage and rules for storing solutions.