Cresol
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Description
A yellowish oil with a phenolic odor that is a constituent of coal tar creosote. Cresol is used as a parasiticide and a Disinfectant (Lysol®). It is also used in photographic developers.
Synonyms and Related Terms
cresylic acid; cresylol; tricresol; methylphenol; hydroxymethylbenzene; 3-cresol; 3-m-hydroxytoluene; m-cresylic acid;1-hydroxy-3-methylbenzene; m-oxytoluene;
Risks
- Irritating to skin, eyes and nose.
- Toxic by ingestion and inhalation.
- Hygroscopic.
- Light sensitive. Air sensitive.
- Corrosive.
- Flash point = 82 C ( 179.60 F)
- Fisher Scientific: SDS
- EPA lists cresol and cresylic acid as hazardous waste due to toxicity; concentrations over 10% must be disposed of appropriately
Physical and Chemical Properties
Soluble in water. Miscible in ethanol, benzene, ether, glycerol and alkalis.
| Composition | CH3C6H4OH |
|---|---|
| CAS | 1319-77-3 |
| Density | 1.03 g/ml |
| Molecular Weight | mol. wt.=108.14 |
| Refractive Index | 1.542 (m-cresol) |
| Boiling Point | 195-205 C |
Resources and Citations
- G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 251
- Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
- The Merck Index, Martha Windholz (ed.), Merck Research Labs, Rahway NJ, 10th edition, 1983
- CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, Robert Weast (ed.), CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, v. 61, 1980 Comment: ref. index=1.542 (m-cresol)