Question

The antiseptic in Dettol is:
(A) Codeine
(B) Chloroxylenol
(C) Bithional
(D) None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Dettol is antiseptic in nature due to the presence of that very substance in its composition. Identify the chemical compound which has antiseptic properties (means which can prevent the growth of microorganisms and can be applied to wounds, cuts etc.) from the above options and you will easily find the answer.

Complete step by step solution:
-Antiseptic are those chemical substances which are used to kill and prevent the growth of microorganisms. These are not harmful to the living tissues and can be easily applied to the wounds, cuts, diseased skin surfaces etc.
-Dettol is an antiseptic and provides us protection from a wide range of diseases and unseen germs and is also used for the cleaning and disinfection (removing the micro-organisms) of the skin during the operations too.
-Dettol is a mixture of two chemical compounds, namely, chloroxylenol and terpineol. -Besides, it also contains pine oil, isopropanol, castor oil, soap and water. Out of these, chloroxylenol is one of the most important constituents of the Dettol and it constitutes about 4.8% of the total mixture of Dettol.
-Chloroxylenol is an aromatic chemical compound with the chemical formula$$C_8{H}_{9}OCl$$. It is also known as para- chloro-meta-xylenol (PCMX).
                                          

-It is the most active chemical compound in the Dettol and has both the antiseptic (prevents the growth of microorganisms) and disinfectant (kills the microorganisms) properties.
-It is used in various household disinfectants and as around cleaners. It is available in the liquid form and is not much toxic to human beings and can be easily applied on wounds, cuts etc.

So, the antiseptic in Dettol is chloroxylenol and hence option (B) is correct.

Note: Don’t get confused in the words xylenol and chloroxylenol or write the word xylenol in place of it. Actually, both of them are merely the same except that there is the presence of chlorine in the chloroxylenol which differs it from xylenol.