Formula C7H8O Molar mass 108.14 g/mol | Density 1.03 g/cm³ | |
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Appearance colorless liquid to yellowish liquid |
meta-Cresol, also 3-methylphenol, is an organic compound with the formula CH3C6H4(OH). It is a colourless, viscous liquid that is an intermediate in the production of other chemicals. It is a derivative of phenol, an isomer of p-cresol and o-cresol.
Contents

Production

Together with many other compounds, m-cresol is traditionally extracted from coal tar, the volatile materials obtained in the production of coke from (bituminous) coal. This residue contains a few percent by weight of phenol and isomeric cresols. In the cymene-cresol process, phenol is alkylated with propylene to give isomers of cymene, which can be oxidatively dealkylated (Hock rearrangement) analogous to the cumene process.
Applications
m-Cresol is a precursor to numerous compounds. Important examples include:

Natural occurrences
m-Cresol is a component found in temporal glands secretions during musth in male African elephants (Loxodonta africana).
