Click here to see 3D structure. The largest use for phenol is in low cost, versatile resins. They are mainly thermoset resins used in plywood adhesion, construction and the motorcar industry. Resin condensation reaction. Another use for phenol includes an intermediate stage in the process of producing caprolactam , which is used in nylon and many other man-made fibres.
Phenol is also a powerful disinfectant and bacteria killer.
However the chemical is highly corrosive and moderately toxic. It effects humans by burning the skin and other tissue that it comes into contact with. This gives severe skin burning and if inhaled serious internal corrosion. The skin burning is not initially felt because the phenol has a local anaesthetic effect. It can affect the central nervous system, which will at first lead to sweating, weakness, dizziness and twitching but with prolonged exposure leads to nausea, vomiting and coma.