Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry

Phenol: Any molecule containing a benzene ring bonded to a hydroxyl group substituent. Not to be confused with phenyl group. The conjugate base of a phenol is a phenolate or phenoxide.




Phenol
  
Phenolate or phenoxide
(The conjugate base of phenol)

Some phenol natural products. Phenol moiety shown in red.



Vanillin, a natural flavoring agent.   
Chlortetracyclin, an antibiotic.