M-Cresol


meta-Cresol, also 3-methylphenol, is an organic compound with the formula CH3C6H4. It is a colourless, viscous liquid that is used as an intermediate in the production of other chemicals. It is a derivative of phenol and is an isomer of p-cresol and o-cresol.

Production

Together with many other compounds, m-cresol is traditionally extracted from coal tar, the volatile materials obtained in the production of coke from coal. This residue contains a few percent by weight of phenol and isomeric cresols. In the cymene-cresol process, toluene is alkylated with propene to give isomers of cymene, which can be oxidatively dealkylated analogous to the cumene process. Another method, involves carbonylation of a mixture of methallyl chloride and acetylene in the presence of nickel carbonyl.

Applications

m-Cresol is a precursor to numerous compounds. Important examples include:
m-Cresol is a component found in temporal glands secretions during musth in male African elephants.
m-Cresol is a constituent of tobacco smoke.