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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Partha Sarker on September 11, 2014, 02:51:32 AM

Title: Why is phenol called Carbolic Acid
Post by: Partha Sarker on September 11, 2014, 02:51:32 AM

This aromatic compound which name is Phenol,has a -OH group. It's another name is Carbolic Acid. But it has no -COOH group. :o

Then why it is called Carbolic Acid??

Title: Re: Why is phenol called Carbolic Acid?
Post by: Borek on September 11, 2014, 02:59:13 AM

Acid is not a synonym of a "carboxylic acid". Acid means a substance that dissociates producing H⁺ and lowering pH of the solution.

Title: Re: Why is phenol called Carbolic Acid?
Post by: Partha Sarker on September 11, 2014, 03:03:35 AM

Quote from: Borek on September 11, 2014, 02:59:13 AM

Acid is not a synonym of a "carboxylic acid". Acid means a substance that dissociates producing H⁺ and lowering pH of the solution.

Oh! what happens when Phenol is mixed with water(chemical reaction please) and is there any other alcohol which does the same thing

Title: Re: Why is phenol called Carbolic Acid
Post by: Arkcon on September 11, 2014, 04:56:46 AM

Here's a thorough description:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenol#Properties

Title: Re: Why is phenol called Carbolic Acid
Post by: Hunter2 on September 13, 2014, 10:09:57 AM

Aromatic Hydroxy compounds act acidic. The name carbolic acid  comes because Phenol was first obtained by distillation of coal. 

Title: Re: Why is phenol called Carbolic Acid
Post by: AdiDex on September 13, 2014, 01:01:24 PM

Basically you should know what an acid do in a reaction -

1. It can gives (Donate) H+ Ion ( A proton ).

2. It can accept an Electron.

And just remember that -
In general , A Neutral molecule consisting of Hydrogen which is connected with a electronegative atom is acidic in nature. ( As in case of Phenol , H is connected with O )