Chemistry in your cupboard

One hundred and fifty years ago, before the use of antiseptics, major surgery often resulted in death from post-operative infections. In the 1860s Joseph Lister discovered phenol could kill germs but it also causes severe skin burns. Modern antiseptics such as Dettol® have been developed based on phenol but with modifications to the chemistry to reduce the adverse effects and produce a safer product. Many antiseptics are still made based on phenol derivatives as the active ingredient.

Links to the curriculum

This section contains information relevant to the following areas of your chemistry curriculum:

• Organic chemistry
• Bonding
• Acids and bases