What is the Difference Between Dettol and Phenol?

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Dettol and phenol are both antiseptic and disinfectant substances, but they have distinct differences in their composition and applications.

Composition:

  • Dettol is a brand name for a type of antiseptic substance introduced by Reckitt, a British company. The active germ-killing ingredient in Dettol is 4-chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol.
  • Phenol, on the other hand, is a single chemical compound with the chemical formula HO-C6H5.

Applications:

  • Dettol is an antiseptic and disinfectant that can be applied to wounds. It is commonly used as a household disinfectant and for personal hygiene.
  • Phenol is a corrosive substance and is not suitable for applications on humans. It is mainly used as a disinfectant on inanimate objects.

Toxicity:

  • Phenol is more toxic than Dettol. Chloroxylenol, a phenolic derivative used in Dettol, has similar, although lesser, toxic manifestations compared to phenol when ingested.

In summary, Dettol is an antiseptic and disinfectant with a non-corrosive composition, making it suitable for human applications, while phenol is corrosive and limited to use on inanimate objects.

Comparative Table: Dettol vs Phenol

The key difference between Dettol and phenol is that Dettol is an antiseptic and disinfectant that can be applied to wounds, while phenol is a corrosive substance that is not suitable for applications on humans. Here is a table comparing the two:

Property Dettol Phenol
Definition Dettol is a brand name for a type of antiseptic substance introduced by Reckitt (a British company). Phenol is an organic compound with the chemical formula HO-C6H5.
Uses Dettol is an antiseptic and disinfectant that can be applied to wounds. Phenol is not suitable for human applications due to its corrosive nature.
Production Dettol is a proprietary blend of chemicals and does not have a specific chemical formula. Phenol can be produced via extraction from coal tar or from petroleum-derived feedstock, with the main method of production being the "cumene process".
Effectiveness Dettol is 90.4% and 92.5% effective against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in comparison with 5% Phenol. Phenol is less effective than Dettol as a disinfectant.

In summary, Dettol is an antiseptic and disinfectant with a proprietary blend of chemicals, while phenol is an organic compound with limited uses due to its corrosive nature.