The difference between toluene and phenol does not need to be used.

1. physical property differences

1. Appearance color

• Toluene: Colorless liquid, with benzene-like odor.
• Phenol: Colorless transparent liquid, slightly pungent odor.
Question 1
• : How to distinguish their physical properties? Toluene and phenol can be preliminarily distinguished by observing the color and smell. Toluene is colorless and has an odor similar to benzene; while phenol has a slightly pungent odor.

1. Density

• Toluene: density about 0.87g/cm³.
• Phenol: Density about 1.04g/cm³.
• According to records, phenol density is greater than water, and toluene density is less than water.

1. Solubility

• Toluene: Insoluble in water, but soluble in organic solvents.
• Phenol: slightly soluble in water, soluble in organic solvents.
• Question 2: What is the difference between chemical reactions? Through the solubility analysis, we can further confirm their physical characteristics.

1. Solubility

• Toluene: hardly soluble in water.
• Phenol: Slightly soluble in water.
• The solubility of the two is different, which is also a key point.

with water soluble

• Toluene: Slightly soluble in water.
• Phenol: Slightly soluble in water.

Acidity and alkalinity

• Toluene: neutral.
• Phenol: weakly alkaline.

Operation method

• The two liquids were poured into test tubes and water was added to gently shake.
• Toluene will stratify on the upper layer, while phenol will mix with water.
• Question three: their use what are the differences? Through the stratification phenomenon can initially distinguish between the two.

2. chemical differences

1. chemical reaction

• Toluene: prone to nitration reaction, hydrolysis reaction, etc.
• Phenol: prone to oxidation reaction, hydrolysis reaction, etc.

1. Solubility

• Toluene: Soluble in organic solvents.
• Phenol: Slightly soluble in organic solvents.

1. Acidity and alkalinity

• Toluene: No obvious acidity or alkalinity.
• Phenol: Has weak acidity.

3. structure and use differences

1. molecular structure

• Toluene: The benzene ring is attached to a methyl group.
• Phenol: The benzene ring is attached to a hydroxyl group.

1. Use

• Toluene: widely used in the production of benzyl alcohol, phenol, phenolic resin and so on.
• Phenol: used in the production of phenolic resin, industrial phenol, etc.

Through the above three points analysis, we can clearly realize that the key point to distinguish toluene and phenol lies in their physical and chemical properties. In particular, by observing the color, odor, density, and solubility with water, the two substances can be effectively differentiated. In actual operation, it can be further confirmed by reagent detection or stratification experiment.