What is phenol?

Help!!!what are the reactants used to prepare the phenol?what metholds are used to isolate these reactants?

• also, i wander if anyone knows what methods are used to synthesize the phenol? any byproduct for each method described?? thank you so much...!!i cannot find much info abt this....help!!

• Answer:

  One industrial process for producing phenol (C6H5-OH) is called the Cumene process. The Cumene is formed by the Friedel Crafts Alkylation of benzene by propene. It is then oxidized to Cumene hydroperoxide (C6H5C(CH3)2-O-O-H) which is then hydrolized to Phenol plus Acetone. Another industrial process is the Raschig-Hooker process which is done by hydrolizing Chlorobenzene. In the laboratory, Phenol is often made by the partial oxidation of Benzene or Benzoic acid.