ABSTRACT
Phenol, the lowest of the monohydroxybenzenes, is the parent compound of a homologous series of chemicals encompassing cresols, xylenols, and other alkyl phenols. Phenol is a versatile high volume organic chemical and is a major building block for a number of finished products of great importance. Xylenols, both mixed and individual isomeric compounds, have also found some uses in making of industrial finished products. Uses of phenol and xylenols have been earlier demonstrated in Figs. 1.1 and 1.2.
