PHENOL

Abstract Phenol (hydroxybenzene) is a commercially important derivative of benzene. It is the primary feedstock for the production of epoxy resins and polycarbonates, phenolic resins and molding compounds, caprolactam, aniline, and other chemical derivatives. More than 95% of the phenol consumed is produced by the cumene peroxidation process. Phenol is a white, crystalline mass at room temperature. Its freezing point is 40.91°C. It is a protoplasmic poison that is corrosive to living tissue and is readily absorbed through the skin. Phenol's consumption growth rate is based primarily on its use in engineering plastics such as bisphenol A, polycarbonates, polyetherimide and poly(phenylene oxide), and epoxy resins for the electronics industry. Due to the nature of its end markets, phenol consumption is highly cyclic. Future production processes for phenol will be affected by the disparity in growth rate between phenol and its coproduct, acetone.