Phenyl groups are found in many organic compounds, both natural and synthetic (see figure). Most common among natural products is the amino acid phenylalanine, which contains a phenyl group. A major product of the petrochemical industry is "BTX" consisting of benzene, toluene, and xylene - all of which are building blocks for phenyl compounds. The polymer polystyrene is derived from a phenyl-containing monomer and owes its properties to the rigidity and hydrophobicity of the phenyl groups. Many drugs as well as many pollutants contain phenyl rings. One of the simplest phenyl-containing compounds is phenol, . It is often said the resonance stability of phenol makes it a stronger acid than that of aliphatic alcohols such as ethanol (pKa = 10 vs. 16–18). However, a significant contribution is the greater electronegativity of the sp2 alpha carbon in phenol compared to the sp3 alpha carbon in aliphatic alcohols.
Phenyl groups are found in many organic compounds both natural and synthetic (see figure) Most common among natural products is the amino acid phenylalanine which contains a phenyl group A major product of the petrochemical industry is "BTX" consisting of benzene toluene and xylene - all of which are building blocks for phenyl compounds The polymer polystyrene is derived from a phenyl-containing monomer and owes its properties to the rigidity and hydrophobicity of the phenyl groups Many drugs as well as many pollutants contain phenyl rings One of the simplest phenyl-containing compounds is phenol  It is often said the resonance stability of phenol makes it a stronger acid than that of aliphatic alcohols such as ethanol (pKa = 10 vs 16–18) However a significant contribution is the greater electronegativity of the sp2 alpha carbon in phenol compared to the sp3 alpha carbon in aliphatic alcohols