Benzoyl group

Not to be confused with Benzyl group.

In organic chemistry, benzoyl (/ˈbɛnzoʊɪl/, BENZ-oh-il)^[1] is the functional group with the formula −COC₆H₅ and structure −C(=O)−C₆H₅.^[2][3] It can be viewed as benzaldehyde missing one hydrogen. The benzoyl group has a mass of 105 amu.

The benzoyl functional group.

The term "benzoyl" should not be confused with benzyl, which has the formula −CH₂−C₆H₅. The benzoyl group is given the symbol "Bz" whereas benzyl is commonly abbreviated "Bn".

Sources

Benzoyl chloride is a favored source of benzoyl groups, being used to prepare benzoyl ketones, benzamides (benzoyl amides), and benzoate esters. The source of many naturally occurring benzoyl compounds is the thioester benzoyl-CoA. Irradiation of benzil generates benzoyl radicals, which have the formula PhCO.

Benzoyl compounds

Many ketones contain the benzoyl group. They have the formula C₆H₅CO–R, an important example being benzophenone.

Benzoyl esters and amides are common in organic chemistry. The esters are used as a protecting groups in organic synthesis,^[4] which can be easily removed by hydrolysis in dilute basic solution. Benzoyl-β-D-glucoside is a natural substance that can be found in Pteris ensiformis.

References

1. "benzoyl | Definition of benzoyl in English by Oxford Dictionaries". Oxford Dictionaries | English. Archived from the original on September 28, 2016. Retrieved 2018-02-02.
2. Maki, Takao; Takeda, Kazuo. "Benzoic Acid and Derivatives". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a03_555. ISBN 978-3527306732..
3. Morris, Christopher G. (1992). Academic Press Dictionary of Science and Technology. Gulf Professional Publishing. p. 246. ISBN 9780122004001.
4. Blackburn, G. Michael (2006). Nucleic Acids in Chemistry and Biology. Royal Society of Chemistry. p. 145. ISBN 9780854046546.