phenylic acid
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - A toxic, white, soluble, crystalline acidic compound derived from benzene. It is used in manufacturing processes and as a disinfectant and antiseptic. It is poisonous if ingested internally.
Usage
This term is a technical/scientific name for a specific chemical compound. It is used primarily in industrial, chemical, and medical contexts. - Phenylic acid must be handled with extreme care in the laboratory due to its toxicity. - The antiseptic properties of phenylic acid have been known for over a century.
Advanced Usage
- Historical Context: While "phenylic acid" is a valid chemical name, in modern common usage, this compound is almost universally referred to as phenol. "Phenylic acid" is an older or more formal term.
- Chemical Precursor: It is a fundamental building block in the chemical industry for producing plastics (e.g., Bakelite), pharmaceuticals, and other compounds.
Variants and Related Words
- Phenol (n): The most common modern name for phenylic acid.
- Carbolic acid (n): Another historical synonym for this compound.
- Hydroxybenzene (n): The systematic IUPAC name for the same chemical structure (C₆H₅OH).
Synonyms
- Phenol
- Carbolic acid
- Hydroxybenzene
Notes on Meaning
The definition is highly specific to chemistry. It does not have everyday metaphorical meanings or common idiomatic uses. Its core meaning is fixed as the chemical compound described.
Noun
- a toxic white soluble crystalline acidic derivative of benzene; used in manufacturing and as a disinfectant and antiseptic; poisonous if taken internally