An organic compound consisting of phenol (a benzene ring with an -OH group) with one or more bromine atoms attached, used as a disinfectant, pH indicator, and chemical intermediate.
From bromo- (bromine) + phenol (from Greek phaein meaning to shine, plus -ol for hydroxyl compounds). Synthesized in the 1800s as halogenated antiseptics.
Bromophenol, particularly bromophenol blue, is one of chemistry's workhorses—it changes color depending on pH, so scientists use it constantly as a visible indicator in experiments, making it both a disinfectant and a detective.
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