Benzilic acid

• Hydroxydiphenylessigsäure
• 2,2- diphenyl-2- hydroxyacetic acid
• α - Hydroxydiphenylessigsäure
• Diphenylglykolsäure

Yellowish solid

Fixed

150-152 ° C

180 ° C ( 17.3 hPa)

1.4 g · l-1 in water at 25 ° C

Attention

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Benzilic is a white crystalline powder that chemically belongs to the group of organic carboxylic acids. She is a phenyl derivative of mandelic acid.

Production and representation

Benzilic can be obtained in aqueous ethanol by reaction of benzil with potassium hydroxide. These designated as benzilic rearrangement reaction was described in 1838 by Liebig first time.

Likewise, the representation of benzoin is possible, which is in turn prepared from benzaldehyde and sodium cyanide.

Use

Benzilic acid is used for the synthesis of organic compounds such as pharmaceuticals.

Safety

Since benzilic can serve as starting material for the production of chemical warfare agents, it is on the appropriate check lists.