Benzoin

Absorption

No pharmacokinetic data available.

Toxicity

Oral LD50 in rat is 10,000 mg/kg and dermal LD50 in rabbit is 8870 mg/kg [MSDS].

Chemical properties

light yellow powder or crystals with a camphor-like odour

Chemical properties

Benzoin has a faint, sweet, balsamic odor.

Occurrence

Benzoin is a resin from the trees of genus Styrax.

The Uses of Benzoin

benzoin is a fragrant essential oil with bactericidal, anti-irritation, and anti-itching properties. It is considered a good ingredient for reducing skin redness and is a preservative of fats. Although its primary constituent is benzoic acid, it also contains canillin and an oily aromatic liquid. This balsamic resin is extracted by cutting deeply into the trunks of trees that grow primarily in Indonesia and Thailand.

The Uses of Benzoin

Degassing for powder coatings

The Uses of Benzoin

Benzoin is used as a flavor, antiseptic and photopolymerization catalyst. It is also used as a raw material in organic syntheses. It serves as a precursor to benzil, which is a photoinitiator. Further, it is used as degassing agent for powder coatings. In addition to this, it is used as an additive and in powder coating to remove the pinhole phenomenon.

Indications

No approved therapeutic indications.

Background

Benzoin is a white crystalline compound prepared by condensation of benzaldehyde in potassium cyanide, and is used in organic syntheses. This should not be confused with benzoin gum from STYRAX (see Benzoin resin). Benzoin is an FDA-approved colour additive used for marking fruits and vegetables.

definition

ChEBI: A ketone that consists of acetophenone bearing hydroxy and phenyl substituents at the alpha-position. The parent of the class of benzoins.

definition

benzoin: A colourless crystallinecompound, C₆H₅CHOHCOC₆H₅; m.p.137°C. It is a condensation product ofbenzenecarbaldehyde (benzaldehyde),made by the action of sodiumcyanide on benzenecarbaldehyde inalcoholic solution. It also occurs naturallyas the resin of a tropical tree. Itis both a secondary alcohol and a ketone,and gives reactions characteristicof both types of compound.

Taste threshold values

Taste characteristics at 25 ppm: spicy, balsamic, resinous, fruity with an herbal nuance.

General Description

Off-white to yellow-white crystalline solid with an odor of camphor. Slightly acrid taste. When broken the fresh surfaces have a milky-white color.

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water.

Reactivity Profile

2-Hydroxy-2-phenylacetophenone is sensitive to heat and light. 2-Hydroxy-2-phenylacetophenone is incompatible with oxidizers. 2-Hydroxy-2-phenylacetophenone reduces Fehling's solution.

Hazard

Highly toxic.

Fire Hazard

Flash point data for 2-Hydroxy-2-phenylacetophenone are not available; however, 2-Hydroxy-2-phenylacetophenone is probably combustible.

Safety Profile

Slightly toxic by ingestion andskin contact. Mutation data reported. A flammable liquid.When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke andirritating fumes.

Synthesis

It may be prepared by condensation of benzaldehyde with an alkali cyanide and used in organic synthesis.

Metabolism

No pharmacokinetic data available.

Purification Methods

Crystallise benzoin from CCl4, hot EtOH (8mL/g), or 50% acetic acid. Also crystallise it from high purity *benzene, then twice from high purity MeOH, to remove fluorescent impurities [Elliott & Radley Anal Chem 33 1623 1961]. It can be sublimed. [Beilstein 8 IV 1279.]