Benzylicher

Benzylicher is a term that appears to be a misspelling or a non-standard variation of a more common chemical term. It is highly probable that the intended term is "benzyl ether." Benzyl ethers are a class of organic compounds characterized by the general structure R-O-CH2-C6H5, where R represents an alkyl or aryl group and C6H5 is a phenyl group attached to a methylene (CH2) group. This methylene group connects the phenyl ring to an oxygen atom, forming the ether linkage.

Benzyl ethers are often used as protecting groups in organic synthesis, particularly for alcohols. The benzyl group is relatively stable under many reaction conditions but can be selectively removed, typically by hydrogenolysis (reaction with hydrogen gas in the presence of a catalyst like palladium). This selective removal makes benzyl ethers valuable for temporarily masking a hydroxyl group during complex synthetic pathways.

The synthesis of benzyl ethers commonly involves reacting an alcohol with a benzyl halide, such as benzyl bromide or benzyl chloride, in the presence of a base. This reaction, known as Williamson ether synthesis, facilitates the formation of the ether bond. Benzyl ethers also find applications as solvents and in the fragrance industry due to their characteristic aromatic odor. The precise properties and applications of a specific benzyl ether depend on the nature of the R group attached to the oxygen.