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Phenol, also known as carbolic acid and with the chemical formula C₆H₅OH, is an aromatic organic compound characterized by a hydroxyl group (–OH) bonded directly to a benzene ring. It typically appears as colorless or white crystals with a distinct, sweet odor and is moderately soluble in water.

Phenol is a crucial industrial chemical, primarily used as a building block for manufacturing plastics, resins, and synthetic fibers. Its most significant applications include the production of phenolic resins (such as Bakelite), bisphenol A (a precursor for polycarbonates and epoxy resins), and caprolactam (used in nylon production). It is also a starting material for various pharmaceuticals, herbicides, and detergents.

In addition to its industrial uses, phenol has antiseptic and disinfectant properties and is found in some medical products, including mouthwashes, lozenges, and topical anesthetics. Due to its toxicity and corrosiveness, phenol must be handled with care in both industrial and laboratory settings.

Phenol is produced industrially primarily through the cumene process (also known as the Hock process), which is the most widely used method today. In this process, benzene is first alkylated with propene to form cumene (isopropylbenzene). The cumene is then oxidized with atmospheric oxygen to produce cumene hydroperoxide, which is subsequently cleaved—typically using an acid catalyst—to yield phenol and acetone as co-products. The phenol and acetone are then separated by distillation.