O CRESOL FOR SYNTHESIS
O-cresol is mainly used for producing synthetic resins. It can also be used to produce pesticide, MCPA, herbicide, disinfectants for medical use, spices, chemical reagents, and antioxidants. In addition, it is used as a thinner and plasticizer for producing sebacic acid.
o-Cresol is mainly used as a precursor to other compounds. Chlorination and etherification gives members of a commercially important herbicides, such as 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA). Nitration gives dinitrocresol, a popular herbicide. Kolbe–Schmitt carboxylation gives o-cresotinic acid, a pharmaceutical intermediate. Carvacrol, essence of oregano, is derived by alkylation of o-cresol with propene. The muscle relaxant mephenesin is an ether derived from o-cresol.
Dosage
Human doses of up to 1.74 mg/kg bw/d are estimated .