What is the Difference Between Cresol and Phenol?

Cresol and phenol are both aromatic organic compounds, but they have different chemical structures and properties. The main difference between cresol and phenol is the substituent group attached to the benzene ring:

• Cresol: Cresol has a benzene ring substituted with a methyl group (-CH3). There are three isomers of cresol, depending on the position of the methyl group: ortho-cresol (o-cresol), meta-cresol (m-cresol), and para-cresol (p-cresol). Cresols are sometimes called methyl phenols.
• Phenol: Phenol has a benzene ring substituted with a hydroxyl group (-OH). It is a strong acid due to its high electron density.

In terms of acidity, phenol is a stronger acid compared to cresol because of its high electron density. The pKa of meta-cresol is 10.1, while phenol has a pKa of 10.0, suggesting that phenol is slightly more acidic than meta-cresol. However, the difference in acidity is quite subtle. Both cresol and phenol are used as precursors or synthetic intermediates in the production of various materials, including plastics, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and dyes.

Comparative Table: Cresol vs Phenol

The main difference between cresol and phenol is the substituent group attached to the benzene ring. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences:

Both cresol and phenol are aromatic organic compounds, but cresol has a benzene ring substituted with a hydroxyl group and a methyl group, while phenol has a benzene ring substituted with only a hydroxyl group. There are three isomers of cresol: ortho-cresol, meta-cresol, and para-cresol, whereas phenol has no isomers. The acidity of cresol is slightly less than that of phenol, with m-cresol having pKa of 10.1, while phenol has pKa of 10.0.