PhCH2Ph

PhCH2Ph, also known as dibenzyl, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C14H14. It is a symmetrical molecule consisting of two benzyl groups (PhCH2-) linked together. This compound is a solid at room temperature and has a characteristic odor. Its structure can be visualized as two phenyl rings, each attached to a methylene group (-CH2-), with the two methylene groups directly bonded to each other.

Dibenzyl is a relatively stable compound. It can be synthesized through various methods, including the Wurtz reaction, where benzyl halides are reacted with sodium metal. Another common preparation involves the reductive coupling of benzyl halides. It is also found as a byproduct in some organic reactions.

In terms of its properties, dibenzyl is soluble in many organic solvents like ethanol, ether, and benzene, but it is practically insoluble in water. Its melting point is around 52-54 degrees Celsius. Due to the presence of the phenyl rings, it can undergo electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions. The methylene groups are also a site for potential reactions, although less reactive than those in simpler alkyl compounds. Dibenzyl finds some limited applications as a chemical intermediate in the synthesis of other organic compounds.