Naphthol, or hydroxynaphthalene or naphthalenol, is either of two colorless crystaline solids with the formula C₁₀H₇OH. They are positional isomers differing by the location of the hydroxyl group on naphthalene. α-Naphthol is naphthalen-1-ol, and β-naphthol is naphthalen-2-ol. Naphthol is the naphthalene homologue of phenol, with the hydroxyl group being more reactive than in the phenols. They are soluble in simple alcohols, ethers, and chloroform. They can be used in the production of dyes and further organic synthesis. For example, β-naphthol reacts to form BINOL.

See also

• 1,1'-bi-2-naphthol

References

• Ege, S. (1994) Organic Chemistry:Structure and Reactivity 3rd ed. D.C. Heath and Company
• NIST Chemistry WebBook 1-Naphthalenol
• NIST Chemistry WebBook 2-Naphthalenol

External links

Phenols