ˈnafˌthȯl, ÷ˈnapˌ-, -thōl noun
( -s )
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary naphth- + -ol
1. : either of two crystalline monohydroxy derivatives C 10 H 7 OH of naphthalene found in small amounts in coal tar:
a. : the compound made usually by hydrolysis of alpha-naphthylamine and used chiefly as a dye intermediate — called also alpha-naphthol, 1-naphthol
b. : the compound made usually by alkali fusion of beta-naphthalenesulfonic acid and used chiefly as an intermediate (as for dyes, pharmaceuticals, and antioxidants for rubber) and especially formerly in medicine as an antiseptic and parasiticide — called also beta-naphthol, 2-naphthol ; see dye table I (under Developer 5 )
2. : any of various hydroxy derivatives of naphthalene that resemble the simpler phenols but are in general more reactive
3. often capitalized : any of a series of compounds (as Naphthol AS) derived especially from beta-naphthol and used as coupling components for azoic dyes