Phenolics, also known as phenolic compounds, include a wide range of substances from simple phenols to complex polyphenols. Naturally occurring phenolics are found in plants and are part of the plant's defense system against herbivores and pathogens. These compounds are also responsible for the color, flavor, and taste of many plants. In the industrial context, phenolics are used in the production of plastics, resins, and as intermediates in the synthesis of other chemicals.
