C₆H₅C₆H₄OH Almost white crystals, soluble in alcohol, insoluble in water; the ortho form, melting at 56-58°C, is used to manufacture dyes, as germicide and fungicide, and in the rubber industry, and is also known as 2-hydroxybiphenyl, ortho-xenol; the para form, melting at 164-165°C, is used to manufacture dyes, resins, and rubber chemicals, and as a fungicide.