2-Phenylphenol

2-Phenylphenol, or o-phenylphenol, is an organic compound that consists of two linked benzene rings and a phenolic hydroxyl group. It is a white or buff-colored, flaky crystalline solid with a melting point of about 57 °C. It is a biocide used as a preservative under the trade names Dowicide, Torsite, Preventol, Nipacide and many others.

Additional recommended knowledge

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

What is the Sensitivity of my Balance?

How to ensure accurate weighing results every day?

Uses

The primary use of 2-phenylphenol is as an agricultural fungicide. It is generally applied post-harvest. It is a fungicide used for waxing citrus fruits. As a food additive, it has E number E231.

It is also used for disinfection of seed boxes. It is a general surface disinfectant, used in households, hospitals, nursing homes, farms, laundries, barber shops, and food processing plants. It can be used on fibers and other materials. It is used to sterilize hospital and veterinary equipment. Other uses are in rubber industry and as a laboratory reagent. It is also used in the manufacture of other fungicides, dye stuffs, resins and rubber chemicals.

2-Phenylphenol is found in low concentrations in some household products such as spray disinfectants and aerosol or spray underarm deodorants.

Eye contact can cause severe irritation and burns with possible eye damage. For some individuals, 2-phenylphenol can also irritate the skin. It is one of the chemicals that the Hyperactive Children's Support Group recommends be eliminated from the diet of children.

The sodium salt of orthophenyl phenol, sodium orthophenyl phenol, is a preservative, used to treat the surface of citrus fruits to prolong shelf life. As a food additive, it has the E number E232.

References

• Merck Index, 12th Edition, 7458.
• Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet