pyrocresol

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. One of three isomeric compounds, C₁₅H₁₄O, found in coal-tar and obtained as a by-product in the preparation of phenol and cresol. Alpha-pyrocresol forms white crystals which sublime very easily and melt at 195° C.; β-pyrocresol solidifies at 124° C.; and γ-pyrocresol crystallizes in needles which solidify at 10–105° C.