2-Naphthol
Encyclopedia
2-Naphthol, or β-naphthol, is a colorless crystalline solid with the formula C10H7OH. It is an isomer
of 1-naphthol
, differing by the location of the hydroxyl group
on naphthalene
. The naphthols are naphthalene homologues of phenol
, with the hydroxyl group being more reactive than in the phenols. Both isomers are soluble in simple alcohol
s, ether
s, and chloroform
. They can be used in the production of dye
s and in organic synthesis. For example, 2-naphthol reacts to form BINOL
.
Isomer
In chemistry, isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas. Isomers do not necessarily share similar properties, unless they also have the same functional groups. There are many different classes of isomers, like stereoisomers, enantiomers, geometrical...
of 1-naphthol
1-Naphthol
1-Naphthol, or α-naphthol, is a colorless crystalline solid with the formula C10H7OH. It is an isomer of 2-naphthol differing by the location of the hydroxyl group on naphthalene. The naphthols are naphthalene homologues of phenol, with the hydroxyl group being more reactive than in the phenols....
, differing by the location of the hydroxyl group
Hydroxide
Hydroxide is a diatomic anion with chemical formula OH−. It consists of an oxygen and a hydrogen atom held together by a covalent bond, and carrying a negative electric charge. It is an important but usually minor constituent of water. It functions as a base, as a ligand, a nucleophile, and a...
on naphthalene
Naphthalene
Naphthalene is an organic compound with formula . It is a white crystalline solid with a characteristic odor that is detectable at concentrations as low as 0.08 ppm by mass. As an aromatic hydrocarbon, naphthalene's structure consists of a fused pair of benzene rings...
. The naphthols are naphthalene homologues of phenol
Phenol
Phenol, also known as carbolic acid, phenic acid, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5OH. It is a white crystalline solid. The molecule consists of a phenyl , bonded to a hydroxyl group. It is produced on a large scale as a precursor to many materials and useful compounds...
, with the hydroxyl group being more reactive than in the phenols. Both isomers are soluble in simple alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
s, ether
Ether
Ethers are a class of organic compounds that contain an ether group — an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups — of general formula R–O–R'. A typical example is the solvent and anesthetic diethyl ether, commonly referred to simply as "ether"...
s, and chloroform
Chloroform
Chloroform is an organic compound with formula CHCl3. It is one of the four chloromethanes. The colorless, sweet-smelling, dense liquid is a trihalomethane, and is considered somewhat hazardous...
. They can be used in the production of dye
Dye
A dye is a colored substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is being applied. The dye is generally applied in an aqueous solution, and requires a mordant to improve the fastness of the dye on the fiber....
s and in organic synthesis. For example, 2-naphthol reacts to form BINOL
1,1'-Bi-2-naphthol
1,1'-Bi-2-naphthol is an organic compound that is often used as a ligand for transition-metal catalysed asymmetric synthesis. BINOL has axial chirality and the two enantiomers can be readily separated and are stable toward racemisation. The specific rotation of the two enantiomers is +/- 35.5°...
.