The amide of phenylacetic acid, not to be confused with N-phenylacetamide which is acetanilide. Prepd by Willgerodt reaction from acetophenone or from styrene. Review and lab procedures: Carmack, Spielman in Org. React. II (New York, 1946) p 83. Has also been prepd by heating the ammonium salt of phenylacetic acid: Menschutkin, Ber. 31, 1429 (1898). Lab procedure from benzyl cyanide: Wenner, Org. Synth. coll. vol. IV, 760 (1963).