Abstract: The equilibria of extraction of phenol by N503, TBP and TRPO and adsorption of phenol by TBP and TRPO extracting resins were studied respectively and compared. It is difficult to reduce phenol in industrial effluents to 1 ppm by extraction with N503. The extracting resin method may be a attractive alternative to the combined process of extraction and adsorption. Its advantages over extraction consist in very low residual phenol content in treated liquor and simple equipments and over adsorption by activated carbon in high capacity.