Is Phenol Soluble in Water? (+ 3 Things You Should Know)

Yes, phenol (C6H5OH) is partially soluble in water. ^{1 2} Phenol contains a hydroxyl (-OH) group, making it partially polar. While it can form some hydrogen bonds with water molecules, ³ it is not fully soluble due to the presence of a nonpolar benzene ring in its structure.

Well, this was just a simple answer. But there are few more things to know about this topic which will make your concept super clear.

So let’s dive right into it.

Explanation: Why is phenol soluble in water?

Phenol is soluble in water due to the presence of polar functional groups in its molecular structure. Phenol has a hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to an aromatic ring. ⁴ This hydroxyl group allows phenol to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. ⁵

Water is a polar molecule, with oxygen being more electronegative than hydrogen. The oxygen atom in water has a partial negative charge, while the hydrogen atoms have partial positive charges. ⁶

Phenol can interact with water molecules through hydrogen bonding, where the partially negative oxygen atom of water can form a hydrogen bond with the hydrogen atom in the hydroxyl group of phenol. This interaction enables phenol to dissolve in water. ⁷

However, it’s important to note that while phenol is soluble in water, its solubility is limited. As the concentration of phenol increases, its solubility in water decreases.

What factors affect the solubility of phenol in water?

Several factors can affect the solubility of phenol in water:

1. Temperature: Generally, the solubility of solid substances, including phenol, increases with increasing temperature. ⁸ As the temperature rises, the kinetic energy of the molecules increases, leading to more energetic collisions between the solvent (water) and the solute (phenol), promoting dissolution.
2. Pressure: Unlike gases, the solubility of solids like phenol is not significantly influenced by pressure changes. ⁹
3. pH: The solubility of phenol in water can be affected by the pH of the solution. ¹⁰ Phenol is a weak acid and can partially dissociate in water to form phenolate ions (C6H5O)-. ¹¹ At lower pH levels (acidic conditions), the solubility of phenol is higher because more phenol molecules remain undissociated. As the pH increases (basic conditions), the solubility decreases due to increased formation of phenolate ions, which are less soluble in water.
4. Presence of other solutes: The presence of other solutes in the water can affect the solubility of phenol. ¹² For instance, if there are other substances present that can form hydrogen bonds with water, competition for water molecules may reduce the solubility of phenol.
5. Polarity: Phenol is a polar compound, and its solubility in water is primarily due to its ability to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. ¹³ Other polar solvents may also be capable of dissolving phenol, although water is typically the most effective solvent for it.

It’s important to note that while these factors can influence the solubility of phenol in water, they do not alter the fundamental principle that phenol is soluble in water due to its polar nature and ability to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.

How is solubility of phenol used in various applications?

The solubility of phenol in water and other solvents has numerous applications across various industries. Here are some examples:

• Pharmaceutical and medical applications: Phenol is used as an antiseptic and disinfectant due to its ability to kill bacteria and fungi. ¹⁴ It is commonly used in throat sprays, mouthwashes, and topical ointments. Its solubility in water allows it to be easily incorporated into aqueous solutions for medical use.
• Chemical synthesis: Phenol serves as a crucial building block in the synthesis of various chemicals and pharmaceuticals. ¹⁵ Its solubility in organic solvents enables it to be dissolved and reacted with other substances to produce desired compounds.
• Polymer production: Phenol is a key component in the production of phenolic resins and plastics. ¹⁶ Its solubility in solvents such as methanol or ethanol allows for the preparation of resin solutions, which can be further processed into molded products, coatings, adhesives, and insulation materials.
• Dye and pigment production: Phenol is used in the production of dyes and pigments. ¹⁷ Its solubility in various solvents allows for the dissolution and formulation of dye solutions, which can then be applied to textiles, paper, and other materials.

These are just a few examples of how the solubility of phenol is utilized in various applications. Phenol’s ability to dissolve in water and other solvents is a valuable property that allows it to be incorporated into diverse products and processes across different industries.

Further reading

Is Benzoic Acid Soluble in Water?
Why is Acetic Acid Soluble in Water?
Why is Na2SO4 (Sodium Sulfate) Soluble in Water?
Why is Na2CO3 (Sodium Carbonate) Soluble in Water?
Are Alcohols Soluble in Water?

About author

Jay Rana

Jay is an educator and has helped more than 100,000 students in their studies by providing simple and easy explanations on different science-related topics. He is a founder of Pediabay and is passionate about helping students through his easily digestible explanations.

Read more about our Editorial process.

1. P. (n.d.). Phenol. Phenol | C6H5OH | CID 996 – PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/996
2. Physical Properties of Phenol. (2013, October 3). Chemistry LibreTexts. https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Organic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_(Organic_Chemistry)/Phenols/Properties_of_Phenols/Physical_Properties_of_Phenol
3. Parthasarathi, R., Subramanian, V., & Sathyamurthy, N. (2005, January 15). Hydrogen Bonding in Phenol, Water, and Phenol−Water Clusters. The Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 109(5), 843–850. https://doi.org/10.1021/jp046499r
4. Boudreaux, K. A. (n.d.). Molecule Gallery – Phenols. Molecule Gallery – Phenols. https://www.angelo.edu/faculty/kboudrea/molecule_gallery/06_phenols/00_phenols.htm
5. An Introduction to Phenol. https://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/phenol/background.html
6. Hawaii.edu https://manoa.hawaii.edu/exploringourfluidearth/chemical/properties-water/types-covalent-bonds-polar-and-nonpolar
7. Phenol | Definition, Structure, Uses, & Facts. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/phenol
8. Solubility. (n.d.). Solubility. https://www.chem.fsu.edu/chemlab/chm1046course/solubility.html
9. 13.4: Effects of Temperature and Pressure on Solubility. (2013, November 24). Chemistry LibreTexts. https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/General_Chemistry/Book%3A_General_Chemistry%3A_Principles_Patterns_and_Applications_(Averill)/13%3A_Solutions/13.04%3A_Effects_of_Temperature_and_Pressure_on_Solubility
10. pH and solubility (video) | Equilibrium | Khan Academy. (n.d.). Khan Academy. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-chemistry-beta/x2eef969c74e0d802:equilibrium/x2eef969c74e0d802:solubility-equilibria/v/solubility-and-the-ph-of-the-solution
11. Acidity and Basicity of Alcohols and Phenols | Organic Chemistry | JoVE. (n.d.). Acidity and Basicity of Alcohols and Phenols | Organic Chemistry | JoVE. https://www.jove.com/science-education/11922/acidity-and-basicity-of-alcohols-and-phenols
12. Solubility – Wikipedia. (2015, April 22). Solubility – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solubility
13. Alcohol – Boiling Point, Solubility, Flammability. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/alcohol
14. McDonnell, G., & Russell, A. D. (1999, January). Antiseptics and Disinfectants: Activity, Action, and Resistance. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 12(1), 147–179. https://doi.org/10.1128/cmr.12.1.147
15. Scott, K. A., Cox, P. B., & Njardarson, J. T. (2022, May 9). Phenols in Pharmaceuticals: Analysis of a Recurring Motif. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 65(10), 7044–7072. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00223
16. Phenol formaldehyde resin – Wikipedia. (2021, June 13). Phenol Formaldehyde Resin – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenol_formaldehyde_resin
17. Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans, I. W. (1989, January 1). Phenol – Some Organic Solvents, Resin Monomers and Related Compounds, Pigments and Occupational Exposures in Paint Manufacture and Painting – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK524896/