Life Science Encyclopedia

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

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