Carbolic acid

Carbolic acid, also known as phenol, is a chemical compound once commonly used as an antiseptic to disinfect wounds and surgical tools. It's a crystalline substance with a distinct, medicinal smell. Phenol works by killing bacteria and other microbes, helping to prevent infection. While effective, it can be toxic and skin-irritating, so its use is now more cautious and controlled. Today, phenol is also employed in the production of plastics, disinfectants, and chemical manufacturing, remaining an important industrial chemical.