Question

Dettol is a mixture of:
A) Chloroxylenol and terpineol in a suitable solvent.
B) Formaldehyde and phenol in the solvent water
C) Tincture of iodine and chloroform
D) $$KMn{O}_4$$ and iodoform.

Answer 1

Hint: Dettol is made up of an antiseptic liquid and helps to protect humans against infection from minor skin cuts, scratches and insect bites. Antiseptic means it will reduce or prevent the infections very efficiently.

Complete-step- by- step answer:
i) Dettol is going to act as antiseptic meaning it should have some chemicals that should kill the bacteria.
ii) Coming to the given options, Option B, Formaldehyde and phenol in the solvent water. Formaldehyde and phenol will react and form a solid. The solid doesn't have a property to reduce the infection. So, option B is wrong.
iii) Coming to Option C, Tincture of iodine and chloroform. Chloroform is carcinogenic and it should not be used as antiseptic liquid. So, the option C is wrong.
iv) Coming to option D, $$KMn{O}_4$$ and iodoform. $$KMn{O}_4$$ is a strong oxidizing agent that should not be used as antiseptic liquid. So, the option D is wrong.
v) Coming to option A, Chloroxylenol and terpineol in a suitable solvent. Chloroxylenol and terpineol have antiseptic properties and they can kill the bacteria efficiently.
Therefore Chloroxylenol and terpineol are used in the preparation of dettol.

So, the correct option is A.

Note: Tincture of iodine with alcohol used as antiseptic. Tincture of iodine is used for minor wounds, cuts and scrapes. Peroxide and permanganate are commonly used for antiseptic mouthwashes and for open wounds. Chlorhexidine is also an antiseptic used for open wounds.