Phenol has been used as a disinfectant due to its antimicrobial properties. It exhibits strong antibacterial and antifungal activity, making it effective in killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. Phenol disrupts the cell walls and membranes of bacteria and fungi, leading to their destruction.
Regarding solubility, alcohols generally have better solubility in water compared to phenol. This is because alcohols can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules due to the presence of hydroxyl (-OH) groups, which enhances their solubility. In contrast, phenol has a benzene ring attached to the hydroxyl group, which reduces its ability to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. As a result, phenol has lower solubility in water compared to many alcohols.