Applications of Dimethylphenol in Production Life

As a common chemical, phenol is an important raw material for producing certain resins, fungicides, preservatives, and drugs (such as aspirin). Dimethylphenol comes from phenol which is methylated, whose antibacterial effect is 3-10 times stronger than phenol. However, the toxicity isn't reduced and it is almost equal. That is to say, the therapeutic index increases. It can kill bacteria propagules, including mycobacteria. There are five isomers of dimethylphenol, whose functions vary. 3,5-dimethylphenol is an organic synthetic material. It is characteristic as colorless needles, melting point 68 ℃, boiling point 219 ℃, slightly dissolve in water while dissolve in organic solvent such as ethanol, as well as solution of sodium hydroxide. It is mainly useful for manufacturing high efficiency and low toxicity pesticides and preservatives.

After chlorinated, phenols can form various forms of chlorinated phenols. 4-chloro-3, 5-xylenol is an important chemical raw materials, it is mainly for the manufacture of resins, pharmaceuticals, perfumes, disinfectants, stabilizer for various organic compounds and oil additives which can extend rolling oil life for cold rolling mill.

One of the most important chlorinated products is dichloromethyl phenol— 2,4-dichloro-3,5-xylenol, which is short for DCMX. It molecular formula is 133-53-9. It is a safe and effective antiseptic and antibacterial agent. In   20 º C, its solubility in water is 0.2 g / L. It is easy dissolved in an alkaline aqueous solution and alcohol, ether, ketone and other organic solvent. 2, 4-dichloro-3, 5-dimethylphenol can be also used as antibacterial and antifungal agents; it is a safe, efficient, broad-spectrum anti-mildew fungicides that is efficient for most Gram-positive and-negative bacteria, fungi and mold. Compared with 3, 5- dimethylphenol, 3, 5-dimethyl-2, 4-dichlorophenol is a low-toxicity antibacterial agent, which makes it more applicable in daily products. Its unique combination of corrosion and bactericidal effect gives it a place in many efficiency and non-toxic sterilization occasion. Therefore, DCMX is widely used in personal care products such as hand sanitizer, soap, shower gel, cosmetics and film, glue, oilation, textile, paper, polishing agent industry.

Nowadays, the demand of 3, 5-dimethyl phenol is increasing. However, the annual production is decreasing in the world, which is far lesser to meet market demand. As a result, 2, 4-dichloro-3, 5-dimethylphenol which is made of 3, 5-dimethylphenol is also facing the same situation. How to choose a higher yield and a more concise synthetic route will be the key to the development of the field. Since chemical synthesis produce a great pollution to the environmental, environment-friendly route should also be taken into consideration.