Carbolic Acid

(kār-bölik,) also known as PHENIC ACID and PHENILIC ALCOHOL. (Chem.) A compound obtained from coal-tar by a somewhat complicated proce . When pure, it crystallizes in long colorle needles, having a sp. gr. of 1.065. It liquefies at 93-2°, and boils at 369°. The crystals di olve in abt. 25 times their bulk of water, and in all proportions of alcohol and ether. Neither by itself, nor in aqueous solution, does it redden litmus-paper. When pure it has a peculiar pleasant odor; it attacks the skin, reddening and hardening it; it coagulates albumen, and unites with animal substances; it is one of the most powerful antiseptics known, and in a somewhat impure form is largely used for sanitary purposes. The liquid commercial C. acid is a mixture of C. acid, cresylic acid, various neutral hydro-carbons, .; its offensive odor is mainly due to the presence of minute quantities of sulphur compounds. Form. C12H6O2. [s. 144]