7265. Phenylacetaldehyde

Nomenclature

CAS number: 122-78-1
Benzeneacetaldehyde; phenylethanal; α-toluic aldehyde; α-tolualdehyde; Hyacinthin.
C8H8O; mol wt 120.15.
C 79.97%, H 6.71%, O 13.32%.

Description and references

Prepd by oxidizing phenylethyl alcohol with chromic acid. High-yield synthesis from styrene oxide or styrene glycol: G. Paparatto, G. Gregorio, Tetrahedron Lett. 29, 1471 (1988).

Chemical structure

Properties

Oily, colorless liquid which polymerizes and grows more viscous on standing. Odor reminiscent of lilac and hyacinth. (Has been crystallized, mp 33-34°.) d2525 1.023-1.030; bp760 195°; bp18 88°; bp10 78°; nD20 1.524-1.528. Slightly sol in water. Soluble in alcohol, ether. One part is sol in 2 parts of 80% alc forming a clear solution.

Use

In perfumery; intermediate in organic synthesis.