Alkylphenol

Alkylphenols are a family of organic compounds obtained by the alkylation of phenols.

The term is usually reserved for commercially important propylphenol, butylphenol, amylphenol, heptylphenol, octylphenol, nonylphenol, dodecylphenol and related "long chain alkylphenols" (LCAPs).

Methylphenols and ethylphenols are also alkylphenols, but they are more commonly referred to by their specific names, cresols and xylenols.

As plastizers and antioxidants, alkylphenols are also found in tires, adhesives, coatings, carbonless copy paper and high performance rubber products.

[3] The European Union has implemented sales and use restrictions on certain applications in which nonylphenols are used because of their alleged "toxicity, persistence, and the liability to bioaccumulate" but the United States EPA has taken a slower approach to make sure that action is based on sound science.