Naphtholum is a chemical compound with the molecular formula C10H8OH. Its name is derived from "naphthalene" and "alcohol". The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈnæfθəlʌm/. The "naph-" syllable represents the "naphthalene" part of the name and is pronounced with a voiced "n" and a long "æ" sound. The "-thol" syllable represents the "alcohol" part of the name and is pronounced with a voiceless "θ" and a long "o" sound. The "-um" ending is pronounced with a schwa sound.
Naphtholum, also known as naphthol or α-naphthol, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C10H7OH. It belongs to the family of aromatic compounds known as naphthalenes, which are hydrocarbons containing two fused benzene rings. Naphtholum specifically consists of a naphthalene ring with a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to one of the carbon atoms.
Naphtholum is a white to pale yellow crystalline solid that is slightly soluble in water. It is mainly produced through the sulfonation of naphthalene followed by fusion with alkalis. Its chemical and physical properties make it useful in a variety of applications, particularly in the field of dye manufacturing. It is a precursor in the synthesis of various naphthol dyes such as Sudan dyes and vat dyes. These dyes are commonly used for coloring textiles, paper, and plastics.
Apart from its applications in the dye industry, naphtholum also has some medicinal uses. It is employed as an antiseptic and disinfectant due to its antimicrobial properties. It can be applied topically to treat various skin conditions such as acne and eczema. Furthermore, naphtholum has been used in the past as a treatment for certain parasitic infections.
However, it is important to note that naphtholum should be handled with care as it can be toxic and potentially harmful if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.
The word "Naphtholum" has its origins in the field of chemistry. It is derived from the Greek word "naphtalē", meaning "naphthalene", a type of hydrocarbon compound. The suffix "-olum" indicates that it is a chemical compound or substance. Thus, "Naphtholum" is a term used to refer to a compound that is derived from naphthalene.