Phenol
The aromatic hydroxyl intermediate supplied by Chelora Chemicals — co-produced with acetone from cumene, and the essential feedstock for Bisphenol-A, phenolic resin and caprolactam manufacture — exported from Indonesia as molten liquid or flaked solid with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Phenol is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as the parent aromatic hydroxyl compound, and the grade Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Phenol is the simplest aromatic alcohol, a benzene ring carrying a single hydroxyl group. That hydroxyl group is considerably more acidic than an ordinary alcohol, because the ring stabilises the resulting phenolate anion, and the ring itself becomes strongly activated toward electrophilic substitution — the dual reactivity behind phenol's central role in resin and intermediate chemistry.
At room temperature it is a white crystalline solid that is commonly handled molten above its 41 °C melting point, with a characteristic sweet, medicinal odour, moderate water solubility and full miscibility with most organic solvents. It is corrosive to skin and tissue on contact and requires temperature-controlled, moisture-aware storage and dedicated handling equipment.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
Phenol's largest use, alongside its co-product acetone, is condensation with acetone to make Bisphenol-A, the monomer for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin. It is also condensed with formaldehyde to make phenolic (phenol-formaldehyde) resins for plywood adhesives, moulding compounds and insulation, and is a route, via cyclohexanone, into caprolactam for nylon 6 fibre.
Grade we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Phenol in redistilled, low-colour grade (99.9%+ assay) suitable for Bisphenol-A, phenolic resin and caprolactam-precursor manufacture, supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Phenol is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Phenol is manufactured almost exclusively via the cumene process: cumene (isopropylbenzene) is first air-oxidised to cumene hydroperoxide, which is then cleaved under acid catalysis into phenol and acetone in a 1:0.6 mass ratio: C₆H₅CH(CH₃)₂ + O₂ → C₆H₅C(CH₃)₂OOH → (acid cleavage) → C₆H₅OH + (CH₃)₂CO. Both products are then separated and purified by distillation.
Why the cumene process is universal
Producing phenol and acetone together from a single cumene feedstock, in a two-step oxidation/cleavage sequence with good overall yield and two commercially valuable co-products, is what has made the cumene process the dominant route since it was first commercialised and essentially the only process used at scale today.
Industries and processes that use it
Phenol is consumed across engineering plastics, resin and nylon-chain manufacture, where its activated aromatic ring and acidic hydroxyl group are the main draw. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Bisphenol-A (BPA) Manufacture
Condensed with its own co-product acetone, under acid catalysis, to make Bisphenol-A, the monomer for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin.
Phenolic (Phenol-Formaldehyde) Resins
Condensed with formaldehyde to make phenolic resins used in plywood and particleboard adhesives, moulding compounds and thermal/acoustic insulation.
Caprolactam & Nylon 6 Chain
Hydrogenated to cyclohexanol/cyclohexanone, which is converted via the Beckmann rearrangement to caprolactam, the monomer for nylon 6 fibre and engineering resin.
Alkylphenols & Specialty Chemicals
Alkylated to nonylphenol, dodecylphenol and related alkylphenols used in surfactant, lubricant-additive and antioxidant manufacture.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The acidic hydroxyl group and the strongly activated aromatic ring together govern almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways Phenol is converted into a finished product or intermediate.
Acid-Catalysed Condensation (with Acetone)
Two equivalents of phenol condense with one of acetone under acid catalysis, with loss of water, to form Bisphenol-A.
Formaldehyde Condensation
Reacts with formaldehyde under acid or base catalysis to build phenolic (phenol-formaldehyde) resin networks used in adhesives and moulding compounds.
Catalytic Hydrogenation (to Cyclohexanol)
Hydrogenated over a metal catalyst to cyclohexanol/cyclohexanone, the entry point into the caprolactam and nylon 6 synthesis chain.
Cumene Oxidation & Cleavage (Upstream)
Cumene is air-oxidised and then acid-cleaved to form phenol and acetone together, the dominant industrial route in the whole chain.
Phenol against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing Phenol for BPA, phenolic resin or caprolactam-chain manufacture often need the co-product acetone or the downstream BPA monomer. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phenol | 108-95-2 | Aromatic hydroxyl intermediate | The product on this page — the feedstock for BPA, phenolic resins and the caprolactam chain. |
| Acetone | 67-64-1 | Ketone co-product | Phenol's co-product from the cumene process, and its condensation partner in BPA manufacture — see its product page. |
| Bisphenol-A | 80-05-7 | Diphenol monomer | Made by condensing phenol with acetone — the monomer for polycarbonate and epoxy resin — see its product page. |
| Cumene | 98-82-8 | BTX-derived aromatic | The starting material for phenol synthesis — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Phenol.
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Toxic if swallowed.
Toxic in contact with skin.
Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
Suspected of causing genetic defects.
Chemical-resistant gloves, full-face shield and dedicated respiratory protection are mandatory for routine handling.
Causes severe, rapidly absorbed burns on skin contact; immediate decontamination is essential if contact occurs.
Toxic by ingestion and skin absorption; treat any significant exposure as a medical emergency.
Danger — GHS05 corrosive, GHS06 toxic and GHS08 health-hazard pictograms apply.
This compound is toxic if swallowed or in contact with skin, causes severe skin burns and eye damage, and is suspected of causing genetic defects. It is rapidly absorbed through intact skin and any significant contact should be treated as a medical emergency. It must be handled only with chemical-resistant gloves, a full-face shield, and dedicated respiratory protection, by trained personnel following the precautions in the MSDS supplied with every shipment, which must be read in full and followed without exception before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in a dry, sealed area away from strong oxidizing agents and strong bases. The molten-liquid grade must be kept in a heated, insulated tank above its 41 °C melting point with dedicated, corrosion-resistant piping. Only trained personnel using full-face and skin protection should handle this highly corrosive, toxic material. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay and colour before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Phenol leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of Phenol shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Phenol used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Phenol?+
03How is Phenol made?+
04What grade does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Why are Phenol and Acetone produced together?+
06Is Phenol hazardous?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply Acetone and Bisphenol-A as well?+
Need Phenol on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.