Carbolic acid is

Options

A. Phenol
B. Phenyl benzoate
C. Phenyl acetate
D. Salot

Answer

To answer the question "Carbolic acid is," we need to identify which compound is commonly referred to as carbolic acid among the given options: phenol, phenyl benzoate, phenyl acetate, or salicylic acid.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Carbolic Acid**:
- Carbolic acid is a common name used for a specific chemical compound.

2. **Identifying the Options**:
- The options provided are:
- A) Phenol
- B) Phenyl benzoate
- C) Phenyl acetate
- D) Salicylic acid

3. **Analyzing Each Option**:
- **Phenol**: This is a simple aromatic compound with the formula C6H5OH. It is known for its acidic properties due to the presence of the hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to the benzene ring.
- **Phenyl Benzoate**: This is an ester formed from phenol and benzoic acid. It does not exhibit the acidic properties characteristic of carbolic acid.
- **Phenyl Acetate**: This is another ester formed from phenol and acetic acid. Similar to phenyl benzoate, it does not have the acidic nature of carbolic acid.
- **Salicylic Acid**: This compound has both a hydroxyl and a carboxylic acid group, but it is not commonly referred to as carbolic acid.

4. **Conclusion**:
- Among the options, **Phenol** is the correct answer. It is commonly known as carbolic acid due to its acidic properties and historical usage in disinfectants.

### Final Answer:
Carbolic acid is **Phenol** (Option A).