Benzyl benzoate

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

Additional recommended knowledge

Don't let static charges disrupt your weighing accuracy

How to ensure accurate weighing results every day?

Weighing the right way

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

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