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Benzyl benzoate


Benzyl benzoate
Systematic (IUPAC) name
benzyl benzoate
Identifiers
CAS number	120-51-4
ATC code	P03AX01
PubChem	2345
DrugBank	APRD00821
Chemical data
Formula	C₁₄H₁₂O₂
Mol. mass	212.244 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	?
Metabolism	?
Half life	?
Excretion	?
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	?
Legal status
Routes	?

Benzyl benzoate is the organic compound with the formula C₆H₅CH₂O₂CC₆H₅. This easily prepared compound has a variety of uses.

Additional recommended knowledge

How to quickly check pipettes?

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Synthesis

This colourless liquid is formally the condensation product of benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol. It can also be generated from benzaldehyde by the Tishchenko reaction.^[1]

2 C₆H₅CHO → C₆H₅CH₂O₂CC₆H₅

Uses

Benzyl benzoate has a number of uses:

As an antiparasitic insecticide that kills lice and the mites responsible for the skin condition scabies
As a fixative in fragrances to improve the stability and other characteristics of the main ingredients
As a food additive in artificial flavors
As a plasticizer in cellulose and other polymers
As a solvent for various chemical reactions
As a treatment for sweet itch in horses

Health & Safety information

Benzyl benzoate should be avoided by people with perfume allergy^[2].

References

^ Kamm, O.; Kamm, W. F. "Benzyl benzoate" Organic Syntheses, Collected Volume 1, p.104 (1941)
^ Survey and health assessment of chemical substances in massage oils

v • d • e Ectoparasiticides (P03)
Sulfur-containing products	Disulfiram
Chlorine-containing products	Lindane
Pyrethrines, including synthetic compounds	Pyrethrum · Phenothrin · Permethrin
Other ectoparasiticides, including scabicides	Benzyl benzoate · Malathion · Quassia