Benzilate
Benzilate is a chemical term used to denote the salts or esters derived from benzilic acid. Benzilic acid itself is an alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acid produced by the benzil–benzilic acid rearrangement and has the structure Ph2C(OH)CO2H, where Ph denotes a phenyl group. The benzilate designation commonly refers to the benzilitic anion formed by deprotonation of the carboxyl group, [C14H11O3]−, as well as to the corresponding inorganic salts such as sodium benzilate and potassium benzilate. It also encompasses esters in which the carboxyl hydrogen is replaced by an alkyl group (for example methyl benzilate).
Benzilate salts can be prepared by neutralizing benzilic acid with a base (e.g., NaOH or KOH). Esterification
Benzilates are primarily encountered as intermediates in organic synthesis. They can serve as sources of the
As with many carboxylate reagents, benzilates should be handled with standard laboratory precautions. Avoid ingestion, inhalation