Benzal chloride
Benzal chloride is an organic compound with the formula C6H5CHCl2. This colourless liquid is a lachrymator and is used as a building block in organic synthesis.Benzal chloride is produced by the free radical chlorination of toluene, being preceded in the process by benzyl chloride and followed by benzotrichloride :
Benzylic halides are typically strong alkylating agents, and for this reason benzal chloride is treated as a hazardous compound.
Treatment of benzal chloride with sodium gives stilbene.
Most benzal chloride main industrial use is as a precursor to benzaldehyde. This conversion involves hydrolysis in the presence of base:
