Hydrogenation of phenol presents cyclohexanone, a precursor to nylon. Nonionic detergents are made by alkylation of phenol to give the alkylphenols, e.g.,nonylphenol, which are then subjected to ethoxylation. · Phenol can also be a versatile precursor to a significant assortment of medicine, most notably aspirin but will also many herbicides and p