The word "orthocresol" is spelled with the letter combination "th" which can be confusing in English. However, the IPA phonetic transcription helps to clarify the pronunciation: /ɔːrθəʊˈkriːsɒl/. This breaks down to "OR-tho-KREE-sol" with a long "o" sound in "ortho," a stressed "ee" sound in "kree," and a short "o" sound in "sol." The word is commonly used in chemistry to refer to an aromatic organic compound with a phenol functional group.
Orthocresol, also known as o-cresol, is a chemical compound that belongs to the category of phenols. It is an organic compound with the molecular formula C7H8O, consisting of a benzene ring with a hydroxyl (-OH) group and a methyl (-CH3) group as substituents. Orthocresol is a colorless to pale yellow liquid that possesses a distinctive sweet, smoky odor.
Orthocresol is primarily obtained as a result of coal tar distillation and can be found in various natural sources, including wood tar, coal tar, and petroleum. It is also produced synthetically for commercial purposes. Due to its properties, orthocresol finds applications in a number of industries, including chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture.
In the chemical industry, orthocresol is utilized in the production of numerous chemicals, such as antioxidants, dyes, and fragrances. In the pharmaceutical field, it is used as an intermediate in the synthesis of various medicinal compounds. Additionally, orthocresol is employed in agriculture as a pesticide and is also utilized for the control of microbial growth in petroleum products.
Although orthocresol has a wide range of uses, it is important to handle it with caution due to its toxicity and irritant properties. Prolonged exposure to orthocresol may cause irritation to the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Therefore, proper safety procedures should be followed while working with orthocresol, including the use of protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, and respiratory masks.
One of the three isomeric cresols; a solid melting at 31° C. and boiling at 188° C.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "orthocresol" is derived from two components: "ortho" and "cresol".
1. "Ortho" comes from the Greek word "orthos", meaning "straight" or "correct". In chemistry, the term "ortho-" is used to indicate that certain atoms or groups of atoms are attached at adjacent positions on an aromatic ring.
2. "Cresol" is derived from the Latin word "crescere", meaning "to grow". Cresol refers to a class of organic compounds that are derived from phenol, having a methyl group attached to the aromatic ring.
When combined, "orthocresol" refers to a specific compound that belongs to the cresol family and has the substituents ortho to one another on the aromatic ring.