Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
chlorophenol
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Related Questions
Read Next
Statue eroded by acid rain, pollution, weathering.
What Happened to Acid Rain?
Discover
Colorful winter sunset
What's the Difference Between a Solstice and an Equinox?
Srinivasa Ramanujan, Indian mathematician and autodidact.
6 Interesting Facts about Srinivasa Ramanujan
The impeachment trial of Pres. Andrew Johnson, illustration from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, March 28, 1868.
What If the President Is Impeached?
King Cobra snake in Malaysia. (reptile)
9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes
Stylish light blue jeans on wooden background, closeup of inset pocket
Why Do Jeans Have That Tiny Pocket?
The Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863. (Civil War, Pennsylvania)
9 Worst Generals in History
Panama Canal infographic
Timeline and Map of the Panama Canal

chlorophenol

chemical compound
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://mainten.top/science/chlorophenol
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Written by
Francis A. Carey
Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Virginia, Charlottesville. Author of Organic Chemistry and others.
Francis A. Carey
Fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History

chlorophenol, any of a group of toxic, colourless, weakly acidic organic compounds in which one or more of the hydrogen atoms attached to the benzene ring of phenol have been replaced by chlorine atoms; 2-chlorophenol is a liquid at room temperature, but all the other chlorophenols are solids. Most applications of chlorophenols are based on their toxicity: they and compounds made from them are used to control bacteria, fungi, insects, and weeds. Many members of the group are manufactured by treating phenol with chlorine; a few are made by hydrolysis of polychlorobenzenes.

The compound 4-chlorophenol is a starting material for making 2-benzyl-4-chlorophenol, a germicide; it can also be converted to acetophenetidin (also known as phenacetin), an analgesic.

Formaldehyde reacts with 2,4-dichlorophenol to form methylenebis(dichlorophenol), used as a mothproofing agent, an antiseptic, and a seed disinfectant; 2,4-dichlorophenol, with chloroacetic acid, forms 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), a weed killer.

Of the trichlorophenols, the 2,4,6-isomer is used as a bactericide and fungicide. The 2,4,5-isomer has similar applications and can be converted into methylenebis(trichlorophenol), or hexachlorophene, or into thiobis(trichlorophenol), both used as germicides in soap; into dimethyl trichlorophenyl phosphorothioate, a systemic agent effective against grubs in cattle; and into 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) or 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxypropionic acid (2,4,5-TCPPA), both widely used as weed killers.

Tetrachlorophenol is an insecticide and a bactericide and is used as a preservative for latex, wood, and leather. Pentachlorophenol (PCP) is a disinfectant, a fungicide, and an extremely effective preservative for wood. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has regulations requiring that it be applied only by trained and certified personnel. In the European Union, legislation limits the use of PCP; for example, PCP cannot be employed for the impregnation of fibres and textiles used in clothing or decorative furnishings.

Francis A. Carey