12diphenylethane12diol
1,2-Diphenylethane-1,2-diol, also known as hydrobenzoin, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C14H14O2. It is a vicinal diol, meaning the two hydroxyl groups are attached to adjacent carbon atoms. This molecule exists as stereoisomers due to the presence of two chiral centers. These include enantiomers of the R,R and S,S forms, as well as the meso compound. The meso form is achiral despite having two chiral centers due to an internal plane of symmetry.
Hydrobenzoin can be synthesized through various methods. One common route involves the reductive coupling of benzaldehyde,
This compound has found applications in organic synthesis as a chiral auxiliary or a precursor for the