Fenol, white solid, Ultrapure

Phenol is useful for extraction of viral, plasmid and phage DNAs, and to solubilise and dissociate proteins. It is used as a general disinfectant, either in solution or mixed with slaked lime, etc., for toilets, stables, cesspools, floors, drains, etc.; for the manufacture of colorless or light-colored artificial resins, many medical and industrial organic compounds and dyes; as a reagent in chemical analysis. Aqueous solutions are used as topical anesthetic; topical antiseptic; topical antipruritic. Phenol is used in DNA extractions for removing protein.

• Soluble in aqueous solution (5% - clear, colorless solution)

Note: Phenol is prone to redden on exposure to air and light, hastened by presence of alkalinity. This oxidation makes it unsuitable for nucleic acid work. Oxidation products make DNA resistant to hydrolysis by DNase I. One such oxidation product is o-hydroxybiphenyl. Inhibition is due to the direct action on the DNA rather than on the enzyme, due to hydrogen bonding between bases of the nucleic acid.

Soluble in aqueous solution (5% - clear, colorless solution)