The benzaldehyde is an organic compound whose chemical formula is C6H5CHO. At room temperature it is a colorless liquid that may turn yellowish on storage. Benzaldehyde represents the simplest aromatic aldehyde and the most used industrially. In this the formyl group is linked directly to the benzene ring.
It is found naturally in the bark of the stems, leaves and seeds of plants, such as: almond, cherry, peach and apple. It can also be found in bitter almond, patchouli, hyacinth and cananga oils. Benzaldehyde can be absorbed through the skin and lungs, but is rapidly metabolized to benzoic acid..
This is conjugated with glucuronic acid or glycine, and is excreted in the urine. It is used as a flavoring for some foods, in the perfume industry and in the pharmaceutical industry. Its greatest importance lies in the fact that, from benzaldehyde, compounds such as benzyl acid, cinnamic acid, mandelic acid, etc. are obtained..
The aforementioned compounds have numerous uses. Likewise, benzaldehyde is a fuel incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids and reducing agents, and light.
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Benzaldehyde, benzoic aldehyde, benzenecarbon, phenylmethanal and benzenecarboxaldehyde.
C7H6O or C6H5CHO
It is a colorless liquid that may turn yellowish.
Similar to bitter almond.
Aromatic fiery.
354ºF to 760mmHg.
178.7 ºC.
-15ºF
-26 ºC
In water, 6,950 mg / L at 25 ºC, because it is a predominantly apolar compound and interacts weakly with water molecules.
Miscible with alcohol, ether, fixed and volatile oils.
Soluble in liquid ammonia, apolar solvent.
1,046 g / cm3 at 68ºF
1,050 g / cm3 at 15 ºC
Its vapor is denser than air: 3.65 times in relation to this.
It is stable at room temperature. However, it oxidizes in air to benzoic acid..
1,321 cP at 25 ºC
As can be seen in the first image, the structure of benzaldehyde reveals its aromatic character -the benzene ring on the left- and also the formyl group (-CHO), on the right, responsible for the polar character of the molecule. So, benzaldehyde is an organic, aromatic and polar compound.
What is its molecular geometry? Because all the carbon atoms that make up the benzene ring have sp2 hybridization, as well as that of the formyl group, the molecule rests on the same plane, and consequently it can be visualized as a square (or rectangle, seen axially).
The formyl group establishes a permanent dipole moment in the benzaldehyde molecule, although remarkably weak compared to that of benzoic acid..
This allows it to have stronger intermolecular interactions than benzene, whose molecules can only interact through London forces (induced dipole-dipole scattering).
This is reflected in its physical properties, such as the boiling point, which is two times higher than that of benzene (80 ºC)..
Also, the formyl group lacks the ability to form hydrogen bonds (hydrogen is bonded to carbon, not oxygen). This makes it impossible for benzaldehyde molecules to form three-dimensional arrangements, such as those seen in benzoic acid crystals..
It is a compound that serves as the basis for medicines, colorants, perfumes and in the resin industry. It can also be used as a solvent, plasticizer and low temperature lubricant. It is used to flavor or season food and tobacco.
It is used in the preparation of flavors, such as almond, cherry and walnut. It is also used as a flavoring agent in canned cherry syrup. It is involved in the elaboration of violet, jasmine, acacia, sunflower fragrances, etc., and is used in the manufacture of soaps. Used as a fuel and fuel additive.
It intervenes as a reagent in the determination of ozone, phenol, alkaloids and methylene. Acts as an intermediary in the regulation of plant growth.
Benzaldehyde and N-heptaldehyde inhibit the recrystallization of snow, preventing the formation of deep ice deposits, which cause snow avalanches. However, this use is objected to because it is a source of environmental contamination..
Benzaldehyde is used as a repellent for bees, being used in apiaries in conjunction with smoke to keep bees away from hives and to be able to work safely in them, avoiding stings.
Malachite green is a compound synthesized with the intervention of benzaldehyde. The dye is used in fish farming to combat fish diseases, such as the well-known whitehead and fungal infections..
It can only be used in aquariums, since harmful effects have been reported in mammals, among which are carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, teratogenesis and chromosomal turnover; This is why its use has been banned in many countries..
It is also used in microbiology for the staining of bacterial spores.
-Benzaldehyde is an intermediate in the synthesis of cinnamic acid used in condiments, but its main use is in obtaining methyl, ethyl and benzyl esters used in the perfume industry. Cinnamic acid induces cytostasis and reversal of malignant properties of human tumor cells in vitro.
-Benzaldehyde is involved in the synthesis of benzyl alcohol, which although it is used as a food seasoning and industrial solvent, its main function is to serve as an intermediary for the synthesis of compounds used in the pharmaceutical industry and the production of perfumes, spices and some aniline dyes..
-Benzaldehyde is an intermediate in the synthesis of mandelic acid. This is used in the treatment of skin problems, such as aging from exposure to sunlight, uneven pigmentation and acne.
-It has antibacterial use acting as an oral antibiotic in urinary tract infections.
The most used form of synthesis of benzaldehyde is by catalytic oxidation of toluene, using manganese oxide catalysts (MnOtwo) and cobalt oxide (CoO). Both reactions are carried out with sulfuric acid as the medium..
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