Any of a class of organic compounds with a hydroxyl group (−OH; &see; functional group) attached to a carbon atom in a ring of an aromatic compound. The simplest one, carbolic acid (C6H5OH), is also called phenol; its most important reaction is with formaldehyde, with which it forms widely used polymers called phenol-formaldehyde (phenolic) resins. Phenols are similar to alcohols but form stronger hydrogen bonds (&see; bonding), so they dissolve more readily in water and boil at higher temperatures.
They may be colourless liquids or white solids; many have a sharp, spicy odour. Some are found in essential oils. Phenols with higher molecular weights and phenol derivatives have supplanted phenol itself as industrial antiseptics (germicidal cleaners). &Seealso; Leo Baekeland.
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