What is the Difference Between Cyclohexanol and Phenol

The key difference between cyclohexanol and phenol is that cyclohexanol is a non-aromatic cyclic compound, whereas phenol is an aromatic cyclic compound.

Aromatic compounds usually have an odor as implied by their name “aromatic,” while non-aromatic compounds are mostly odorless, but not always. Cyclohexanol is an organic compound having the chemical formula HOCH(CH2)5, while phenol is an organic compound having the chemical formula HO-C6H5.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Cyclohexanol
3. What is Phenol 
4. Cyclohexanol vs Phenol in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Cyclohexanol vs Phenol 

What is Cyclohexanol?

Cyclohexanol is an organic compound having the chemical formula HOCH(CH2)5. It is formed from the replacement of a hydrogen atom of the cyclohexane molecule with a hydroxyl group. Cyclohexanol is a deliquescent, colorless solid having a camphor-like odor. In its pure form, it can melt at temperatures near room temperature. This material is annually produced in large quantities to be used as a precursor for nylon.

The major route of production for cyclohexanol is the oxidation of cyclohexane in the air. This process uses a catalyst containing cobalt. This reaction gives cyclohexanone, as well, which is the feedstock for adipic acid.

The major application of cyclohexanol is its use as a feedstock for nylon, as mentioned above; however, it is also used as a precursor for various plasticizers. In addition, cyclohexanol is useful as a solvent.

What is Phenol?

Phenol is an organic compound having the chemical formula HO-C6H5. These are aromatic structures because they have a benzene ring. Phenol can be made as a white solid that is volatile. This white solid of phenol has a sweet odor which is tarry. Moreover, it is soluble in water due to its polarity. This compound is a mildly acidic compound due to the presence of a removable proton at the hydroxyl group of phenol. Also, we have to handle phenol solutions with care in order to prevent burns.

Phenol can be produced via the extraction from coal tar. The main method of production is from the petroleum-derived feedstock. The process of the production of phenol is the “cumene process.”

Phenol tends to undergo electrophilic substitution reactions because the lone electron pairs of the oxygen atom are donated to the ring structure. Therefore, many groups, including halogens, acyl groups, sulfur-containing groups, etc., can be substituted to this ring structure. Phenol can be reduced to benzene via distillation with zinc dust.

What is the Difference Between Cyclohexanol and Phenol?

Cyclohexanol is an organic compound having the chemical formula HOCH(CH2)5 while phenol is an organic compound having the chemical formula HO-C6H5. Cyclohexanol differs from phenol according to the chemical structure and physical properties such as odor. The key difference between cyclohexanol and phenol is that cyclohexanol is a non-aromatic cyclic compound, whereas phenol is an aromatic cyclic compound. Moreover, cyclohexanol has a camphor-like odor while phenol has a sweet, tarry odor

We can distinguish cyclohexanol from phenol by reacting them separately with a ferric chloride solution; it gives a violet color when ferric chloride reacts with phenol, while it remains colorless when reacted with cyclohexanol.

The below infographic presents the difference between cyclohexanol and phenol in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Cyclohexanol vs Phenol

The distinguishing feature of phenol is the aromatic chemical structure which is absent in cyclohexanol. The key difference between cyclohexanol and phenol is that cyclohexanol is a non-aromatic cyclic compound, whereas phenol is an aromatic cyclic compound.

Reference:

1. Jewell, Tim. “What Is Phenol? Medical Uses, Health Benefits, and Risks.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 26 Jan. 2019.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Cyclohexanol” By NEUROtiker (talk) – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Phenol2” By NEUROtiker – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia