Introduction

Phenols and cresols are both organic compounds with a hydroxyl group attached to a benzene ring, but cresols are a specific type of phenol with an additional methyl group on the ring. Phenol is the parent compound, while cresols are methylphenols that have three isomers and are found as mixtures like tricresol. Both have antiseptic properties and are used as precursors in various products, with phenols used for resins and flame retardants, and cresols for things like antioxidants, herbicides, and medicines.