BENZYL

ALCOHOL (PHENYL CARBINOL), C5H5CH2OH  , occurs as a benzoic ester in Peru balsam, as cinnamic ester in Tolu balsam, as acetic ester in essential oil of jasmine, and also in storax . It may be synthetically prepared by the reduction of benzoyl chloride; by the action of nitrous acid on benzylamine; by boiling benzyl chloride with an aqueous solution of potassium carbonate, or by the so-called " Cannizzaro " reaction, in which benzaldehyde is shaken up with caustic potash, one half of the aldehyde being oxidized to benzoic acid, and the other half reduced to the alcohol . (Berichte, 1881, 14, p . 2394) . 2C6H5CHO+KOH = C6HSO00K +C6H5CH2OH . It is a colourless liquid, with a faint aromatic smell, and boils at 206° C . On oxidation with nitric acid it is converted into benzaldehyde, whilst chromic acid oxidizes it to benzoic acid . Reduction by means of hydriodic acid and phosphorus at 14o° C. gives toluene, whilst On distillation with alcoholic potash, toluene and benzoic acid are formed .