Benzil

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Benzil
Benzil
IUPAC name 1,2-diphenylethanedione
Other names dibenzoyl
bibenzoyl
diphenylglyoxal
Identifiers
CAS number [134-81-6]
SMILES O=C(C(=O)c1ccccc1)c2ccccc2
Properties
Molecular formula C14H10O2
Molar mass 210.23 g/mol
Appearance yellow crystals or powder
Density 1.23 g/cm3, solid (1.255 g/cm3, x-ray)
Melting point

94.43-95.08 °C

Boiling point

619-621 K

Solubility in water insoluble
Solubility in benzene soluble
Structure
Crystal structure P31,221[1]
Dipole moment 3.8 D[2]
Hazards
Main hazards Irritant
Related compounds
Related diketones biacetyl
Related compounds benzophenone
glyoxal
benzil
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for
materials in their standard state
(at 25 °C, 100 kPa)

Infobox disclaimer and references

Benzil is the organic compound with the formula (C6H5CO)2, generally abbreviated (PhCO)2. This diketone is used as an intermediate in organic synthesis. Benzil is also employed as a photoinitiator for free-radical curing of polymer networks. Ultraviolet radiation decomposes benzil, creating free-radical species which propagate throughout polymer material, creating cross-links between individual polymer chains. Recently benzil has been identified as a selective inhibitor of carboxylesterase enzymes, proteins involved in the metabolism of esterified drugs and xenobiotics.

Benzil can be prepared in the laboratory by the benzoin condensation of benzaldehyde followed by oxidation of benzoin using copper sulfate.[3]

PhC(O)CH(OH)Ph + 2 Cu2+ → PhC(O)C(O)Ph + 2 H+ + 2 Cu+

A classical organic reaction of benzil is the Benzilic acid rearrangement to benzilic acid.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Acta Cryst. B43 398 (1987)
  2. ^ Spectrochim. Acta A60 (8-9) 1805 (2004)
  3. ^ Clarke, H. T.; Dreger.E. E. (1941). "Benzil". Org. Synth.; Coll. Vol. 1: 87.