Bensaldehüüd

Bensaldehüüd, also known as benzaldehyde, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5CHO. It is the simplest aromatic aldehyde and consists of a benzene ring attached to an aldehyde functional group. Bensaldehüüd is a colorless liquid with a characteristic bitter almond-like odor. This distinctive scent is often associated with marzipan and cherry flavoring.

Naturally, bensaldehüüd occurs in various plants, including bitter almonds, apricots, and peaches, often as a glycoside called amygdalin, which is hydrolyzed to release bensaldehüüd. Industrially, it is synthesized through several methods, most commonly by the oxidation of toluene or the hydrolysis of benzal chloride.

Bensaldehüüd finds extensive use as a flavoring agent in food products and as a fragrance ingredient in perfumes and cosmetics. Its chemical properties also make it a valuable intermediate in the synthesis of other organic compounds, including pharmaceuticals, dyes, and pesticides. It can undergo various reactions characteristic of aldehydes, such as oxidation to benzoic acid and reduction to benzyl alcohol. Due to its distinctive aroma, it is also used in dental preparations.