Where do all of you get your Phenol? Buying it is out of the question, unless there is some OTC source I am unaware of, but I've looked online and
apart from the usual Sigma and Aesar, nothing stood out.
... and according to Wikipedia "Phenol is so inexpensive that it attracts many small-scale uses." ... so inexpensive. ... right
I realize I can make it from Toluene, but granted that I live in California, "the golden state where everything causes cancer" getting Toluene is
bound to be harder than Phenol itself.
Aromatic compounds are difficult to get in general here. Any input is appreciated.
Thanks, numos. BlackDragon2712 - 4-6-2014 at 21:26
What do you intend to do with the phenol? I've been doing organic chemistry experiments for some time and I find that phenol is far less useful than I
had imagined, barring a few specific syntheses. Other starting materials are often better choices. The big issue is that phenols are a synthetic
dead-end. You can make ethers and esters from them, but it is extremely difficult, borderline impossible, to make them into any other functional
group. There are very few reactions that require phenols to modify the benzene ring further.numos - 4-6-2014 at 21:55
Good question... I don't know. I have no specific purpose for it, however as you stated, esters. But then isn't that the love of chemistry? Some
people here work in a chemistry field, others just enjoy the acquisition of pure substances.
...I still plan to work as a chemist though.hyfalcon - 5-6-2014 at 18:24
I have another suggestion as start point. You can start with wintergreen oil (almost pure methyl salicylate (up to 99%), easily found in pharmacies,
cheap at walmart), mix it with a solution of NaOH and heat it for around 20 min if I remember. This gives sodium salicylate. Simply acidify and you
get salicylic acid with a possible yield of around 90% +. Extremely easy and cheap. I did it and caracterised it and it worked like a charm according
to IR spectrum and melting point. You can find a protocol online for the details.
[Edited on 6-6-2014 by alexleyenda]Pyro - 6-6-2014 at 13:32
if you lived in Europe I could give you a source that supplies it for 15eur/kg, but in the US things are so difficult to get.
Phenol smells awesome, I keep a sample in my room just to smell every now and again. It somehow smells pure, the same way mint or lemon does. I think
it has something to do with an early childhood memory.alexleyenda - 6-6-2014 at 14:55
my version of a home defense weapon 