BENZYL CHLORIDE

CAS NO:100-44-7
EC NO:202-853-6

SYNONYMS
ALPHA-CHLOROTOLUENE;AKOS BBS-00003953;Benzyl chloride, 99.5+%, stabilized, extra pure;Benzyl chloride, 99%, stabilized, pure;Benzyl chloride, 90%, pure;Benzyl chloride, stabilized, extra pure;Benzyl chloride,99.5+%,extra pure,stabilized;Benzyl chloride,99%,pure,stabilized;Benzyl Chloride (stabilized with epsilon-Caprolactam);(chloromethyl)-benzen;(Chloromethyl)benzene;(chloromethyl)-Benzene;1-Chloromethylbenzene;1-Chlorome-thylbenzene;ai3-15518;alpha-chloro-toluen;alpha-Chlortoluol;alpha-tolylchloride;Benzene, (chloromethyl)-;benzene,(chloromethyl)-;benzene,chloromethyl-;Benzile;Benzile(cloruro di);benzile(clorurodi);Benzylchlorid;benzylchloride(dot);benzylchloride00;Benzyle;Benzyle(chlorure de);benzyle(chlorurede);benzyle(chlorurede)(french);C6H5CH2Cl;chloromethylbenzene;chloromethyl-benzene;Chlorophenylmethane;Chlorure de benzyle;chloruredebenzyle;chloruredebenzyle(french);NCI-C06360;omega-Chlorotoluene;Phenylmethyl chloride;Phenylmethylchloride;Rcra waste number P028;rcrawastenumberp028;Toluene, alpha-chloro-;Toluene,?-chloro-;tolylchloride;?-Chlortoluol;Benzyl chloride 5g [100-44-7];Benzyl chloride 10g [100-44-7];Benzyl chloride,?-Chlorotoluene;Benzyl Chloride - Caprolactam Stabilised;Benzyl Chloride - DMF stabilised;Benzyl Chloride - NaOH stabilised;Benzyl Chloride - TEA- Stabilised;Benzyl Chloride unstabilised;Benzyl chloride, stabilized, extra pure, 99.5+% 1LT;Benzyl chloride, stabilized, pure, 99% 250GR;omega-Chlorotoluene; Chlorophenylmethane;(chloromethyl)-Benzene; ??-Chlorotoluene; Chlorophenylmethane; Tolyl chloride; a-Chlorotoluene; Benzile(cloruro di); Benzylchlorid; Benzyle(chlorure de); Chlorure de benzyle; Phenylmethyl chloride;?-Chlorotoluene;?-Chlorotoluene;1-Chlorome-thylbenzene;(Chloromethyl)Benzene;Tolyl chloride;DBU/benzyl chloride;A-CHLOROTOLUENE;ALPHA-CHLOROTOLUENE;AKOS BBS-00003953;(chloromethyl)-benzen;(chloromethyl)-Benzene;1-Chloromethylbenzene;ai3-15518;alpha-chloro-toluen;alpha-Chlortoluol;alpha-tolylchloride;BENZYL CHLORIDE;(Chloromethyl)benzene;100-44-7;Benzylchloride;alpha-Chlorotoluene;Chloromethylbenzene;Benzylchlorid;Chlorophenylmethane;Tolyl chloride;Benzene, (chloromethyl)-; Toluene, ?-chloro-; ?-Chlorotoluene; ?-Chlorotoluene; (Chloromethyl)benzene; Chlorophenylmethane; C6H5CH2Cl; ?-Chlortoluol; Benzile (cloruro di); Benzylchlorid; Benzyle (chlorure de); Chlorure de benzyle; NCI-C06360; Rcra waste number P028; UN 1738; Phenylmethyl chloride; NSC 8043; Tolyl chloride;ALPHA-CHLOROTOLUENE;AKOS BBS-00003953;Benzyl chloride, 99.5+%, stabilized, extra pure;Benzyl chloride, 99%, stabilized, pure;Benzyl chloride, 90%, pure;Benzyl chloride, stabilized, extra pure;Benzyl chloride,99.5+%,extra pure,stabilized;Benzyl chloride,99%,pure,stabilized

Benzyl chloride, or ?-chlorotoluene, is an organic compound with the formula C6H5CH2Cl. This colorless liquid is a reactive organochlorine compound that is a widely used chemical building block.

Preparation
Benzyl chloride is prepared industrially by the gas-phase photochemical reaction of toluene with chlorine:

C6H5CH3 + Cl2 › C6H5CH2Cl + HCl
In this way, approximately 100,000 tonnes are produced annually. The reaction proceeds by the free radical process, involving the intermediacy of free chlorine atoms.Side products of the reaction include benzal chloride and benzotrichloride.

Other methods of production exist, such as the Blanc chloromethylation of benzene. Benzyl chloride was first prepared from treatment of benzyl alcohol with hydrochloric acid.

Uses and reactions
Industrially, benzyl chloride is the precursor to benzyl esters, which are used as plasticizers, flavorants, and perfumes. Phenylacetic acid, a precursor to pharmaceuticals, is produced from benzyl cyanide, which in turn is generated by treatment of benzyl chloride with sodium cyanide. Quaternary ammonium salts, used as surfactants, are readily formed by alkylation of tertiary amines with benzyl chloride.

Benzyl ethers are often derived from benzyl chloride. Benzyl chloride reacts with aqueous sodium hydroxide to give dibenzyl ether. In organic synthesis, benzyl chloride is used to introduce the benzyl protecting group in reaction with alcohols, yielding the corresponding benzyl ether, carboxylic acids, and benzyl ester.

Benzoic acid (C6H5COOH) can be prepared by oxidation of benzyl chloride in the presence of alkaline KMnO4:

C6H5CH2Cl + 2 KOH + 2 [O] › C6H5COOK + KCl + H2O
Benzyl chloride may be used in the synthesis of amphetamine-class drugs, and for this reason, sales of benzyl chloride are monitored as a List II drug precursor chemical by the US Drug Enforcement Administration.

Benzyl chloride also reacts readily with metallic magnesium to produce a Grignard reagent.It is preferable over benzyl bromide for the preparation of this reagent, since the reaction of the bromide with magnesium tends to form the Wurtz coupling product 1,2-diphenylethane.

Safety
Benzyl chloride is an alkylating agent. Indicative of its high reactivity (relative to alkyl chlorides), benzyl chloride reacts with water in a hydrolysis reaction to form benzyl alcohol and hydrochloric acid. In contact with mucous membranes, hydrolysis produces hydrochloric acid. Thus, benzyl chloride is a lachrymator and has been used in chemical warfare. It is also very irritating to the skin.

It is classified as an extremely hazardous substance in the United States as defined in Section 302 of the U.S. Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (42 U.S.C. 11002), and is subject to strict reporting requirements by facilities which produce, store, or use it in significant quantities.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND APPLICATIONS

Toluene (methylbenzene) has a methyl group attached to a benzene ring. alpha-Chlorinated toluenes are organic compounds which one of the hydrogen atoms in the methyl group has been substituted by a chlorine atom instead of the substitution in the benzene ring . All three hydrogens in the methyl group can be replaced by chlorine atoms thtough the free radical chain reaction. These reactions are catalysed by light and sometimes called photochemical reaction. They reacts vigorously with strong oxidants and water to produce hydrogen chloride and attacks many metals except nickel and lead in the presence of water. Chloromethylated aromatic compounds are used as monomer for a copolymerization and as intermediate in organic synthesis for the introduction of the benzyl protecting group for alcohols and carboxylic acids such as benzaldehyde and cinnamic acid. Benzyl chloride, (monochloromethyl)benzene, is a clear to yellowish liquid; melts at -39 C; boils at 179 C. Its oxidation reaction produces benzaldehyde.Benzyl Chloride is widely used as an intermediate for manufacturing organic compounds including benzyl alcohol, benzyl cyanide and other benzyl compounds. It is used in fuel as a gum inhibitor. Benzal chloride, (dichloromethyl)benzene,  is a clear to yellowish liquid; melts at -17 C; boils at 206 C. Its oxidation reaction with an alkali produces benzaldehyde. alpha-Chlorinated toluenes are used in the end applications of perfumery, dyes, pharmaceuticals, synthetic resins, photographic chemicals, warfare chemicals, penicillins, quaternary ammonium compounds, plasticizer and esters.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

PHYSICAL STATE    Clear to yellow liquid

MELTING POINT;-39 C
BOILING POINT;179 C
SPECIFIC GRAVITY;1.10
SOLUBILITY IN WATER;Reacts slowly
SOLVENT SOLUBILITY ;Soluble in most common organic solvents(alcohol, chloroform, ether)
VAPOR DENSITY    4.4
AUTOIGNITION;585 C
Health: 3 Flammability: 2 Reactivity: 1
REFRACTIVE INDEX;1.5415
FLASH POINT;67 C
STABILITY;Unstable. Inhibitors must be used to prevent polymerization.(propylene oxide, sodium carbonate, lime, or trimethylamine )

Benzyl chloride is used as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of certain dyes and pharmaceutical
products and as a photographic developer.  The acute (short-term) effects of benzyl chloride from
inhalation exposure in humans consist of severe irritation of the upper respiratory tract, skin, eyes, and
mucous membranes, and lung damage along with pulmonary edema (fluid in lungs).  Exposure to high
concentrations also causes effects on the central nervous system (CNS).  Animal data indicate that longterm exposure to benzyl chloride by gavage (placing it experimentally in the stomachs of mice) increased
the incidence of benign and malignant tumors at multiple sites and resulted in a significant increase in
thyroid tumors in female rats.  EPA has classified benzyl chloride as a Group B2, probable human
carcinogen.

Uses
Benzyl chloride is used as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of certain dyes and pharmaceutical,
perfume and flavor products. It is also used as a photographic developer. 
Benzyl chloride can be used in the manufacture of synthetic tannins and as a gum inhibitor in petrol.
Benzyl chloride has been used as an irritant gas in chemical warfare. 

Sources and Potential Exposure
Sources of benzyl chloride emissions into the air include emissions or venting with other gases in industrial
settings.  Emissions of benzyl chloride from floor tile plasticized by butyl benzyl phthalate have been
reported. 
Benzyl chloride has also been detected in emissions from the burning of polyvinyl chloride, neoprene and
rigid urethane foam compounds. 
Individuals may be exposed to benzyl chloride through breathing contaminated air or from exposure to
water or soil that has been contaminated with benzyl chloride. 

The polymerization of benzyl chloride has been studied to a greater extent than polymerization of its derivatives, mainly because it is readily available and relatively inexpensive. Its polymerization has been investigated extensively with systems that involve conventional Friedel–Crafts catalysts4–9 such as AlCl3, SnCl4, SbF5, TiCl4, FeCl3 and PCL5, some metal oxides,10,11 and transition metal carbonyl complexes,12–14 including Mo(CO)6, Cr(CO)6, W(CO)6, ArCr(CO)3, Re(CO)5Cl, Re(CO)5Br, Mn(CO)5Cl and Mn(CO)5Br.

Theoretically, for every mole of benzyl chloride reacted, one mole of hydrochloric acid is released. The conventional Friedel–Crafts catalysts usually require low temperature (-130 to +25 °C) conditions due to their high reactivity and low selectivity. The solvents are carefully selected to have relatively high polarity and to be inert, but at the same time the reaction solution must remain homogeneous during polymerization at such low temperatures. Some examples of good solvents that meet these requirements are dichloromethane, chloroform, trichloroethane, sulfur dioxide and nitromethane. Despite these low temperature conditions, the resulting polybenzyls prepared with the Friedel–Crafts Lewis acid catalysts are generally low melting, amorphous materials with a great deal of branching or crosslinking. The soluble polybenzyls have normally an average degree of polymerization (DP) in the range 20–50. However, the synthesis of a linear crystalline unsubstituted oligobenzyl can be achieved5 from the condensation of 4,4'-bis(chloromethyl)diphenylmethane and diphenylmethane (1:15 mole ratio) in chloroethane catalyzed by AlCl3 at 10 °C. The product has a melting point around 135 °C and a molecular weight of 610.

In contrast to most conventional Friedel–Crafts catalysts, which require low temperature polymerization conditions, polybenzyls may also be prepared by relatively high temperature polycondensation of benzyl chloride using group IIA metal oxides,10 group VIB metal carbonyls,13 arenetricarbonylchromium12 and group VIIB metal carbonyl halides.14 These reaction systems are carried out at temperatures above 100 °C and often in bulk. The relatively activity of group IIA metal oxides, MgO > CaO > BaO, follows that of their Lewis acidity and ability to accept electrons by interacting with the chloride part of the monomer.

The relatively high temperature catalytic properties of group VIB metal carbonyls, arenetricarbonylchromium and VIIB metal carbonyl halides for the polymerization of benzyl chloride have recently come under investigation. Complexing the metal with carbonyl and arene ligands allows the catalyst to dissolve in the reaction medium, which remains homogeneous throughout. As the temperature of the reaction mixture rises, the organic substituent usually dissociates partially from the metal, exposing the vacant metal d orbitals. This allows the benzyl chloride to interact with these vacant sites and polymerization occurs. For example, arenechromiumtricarbonyls catalyze the self-polycondensation of benzyl chloride when they are thermally activated, and their activity may be controlled by the nature of the arene attached to the metal. For group VIB metal hexacarbonyls relative activities are MO » W > Cr, but phosphine ligands attached to the metal do not easily dissociate, and thus poison its catalytic properties.

Group VIIB rhenium and manganese carbonyl halides also induce the thermal polymerization of benzyl chloride, with rhenium having higher activity than its manganese counterpart.

Even though the group IIA, VIB and VIIB metal-based homogeneous catalysts are milder than the conventional Friedel–Crafts metal halides, it still appears impossible to polycondense benzyl chloride to a linear p-substituted, high molecular weight polymer.

Air & Water Reactions
A lachrymator. Slightly soluble in water.
Fire Hazard
It burns but does not ignite readily. It may ignite combustibles. When heated to decomposition, it emits toxic and corrosive fumes. Some organic chlorides decompose to yield phosgene. Incompatible with active metals such as copper, aluminum, magnesium, iron, zinc, and tin and keep from strong oxidizing agents. Avoid contact with acids or acid fumes. Keep separate from oxidizing materials. May become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures; may react with water resulting in some nonviolent release of energy. Polymerizes with evolution of heat and hydrogen chloride when in contact with all common metals except nickel and lead. (EPA, 1998)
Health Hazard
Intensely irritating to skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Highly toxic; may cause death or permanent injury after very short exposure to small quantities. Has been listed as a direct-acting or primary carcinogen. Large doses cause central nervous system depression. (EPA, 1998)
Reactivity Profile
Halogenated aliphatic compounds, such as BENZYL CHLORIDE, are moderately or very reactive. Halogenated organics generally become less reactive as more of their hydrogen atoms are replaced with halogen atoms. Materials in this group are incompatible with strong oxidizing and reducing agents. Also, they are incompatible with many amines, nitrides, azo/diazo compounds, alkali metals, and epoxides.

Chemical Properties    

Benzyl chloride is a colorless to s lightly yellow liquid with a strong, unpleasant, irritating odor. The Odor Threshold is 0.05 ppm.The stabilized form of benzyl chloride contains a fixed amount of a sodium carbonate solution or propylene oxide.

Physical properties    

Colorless to pale yellowish-brown liquid with a pungent, aromatic, irritating odor. Odor threshold concentration is 47 ppbv (Leonardos et al., 1969). Katz and Talbert (1930) reported an experimental detection odor threshold concentration of 210 µg/m3 (41 ppbv).
Uses    Benzyl chloride is used in the manufacture ofdyes, artificial resins, tanning agents, phar maceuticals, plasticizers, perfumes, lubri cants, and miscellaneous benyl compounds.
An intermediate in the preparation of phenylacetic acid (precursor to phamaceuticals). Also a precursor molecule to benzyl esters which are used as plasticizer, flavorants, and perfumes.
Benzyl chloride is a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of benzyl Compounds, perfumes, pharmaceutical products, dyes, plasticizers, synthetic tannins, artificial resins, and quaternary ammonium compounds.

Definition    

ChEBI: A member of the class of benzyl chlorides that is toluene substituted on the alpha-carbon with chlorine.
Preparation    2g benzyl alcohol and 6g concentrated hydrochloric acid were mixed and slowly heated. at 60°C the mixture separated into two layers. the yield of benzyl chloride was 70% of the theoretical. When the alcohol and a large excess of the acid were mixed, the reaction took place at the room temperature after a few minutes, and a theoretical yield of the chloride separated. Benzyl alcohol dissolves sparingly in hydrochloric acid of the specific gravity 1.12. when the solution is warmed, benzyl chloride is formed. Benzyl bromide and benzyl iodide were prepared in the same way from the corresponding acids.
benzyl chloride is a lachrymator, and a powerful one at that. In the presence of water, it hydrolyzes to benzyl alcohol and hydrochloric acid, so it's clear why it burns your water saturated eye so bad.
Production Methods    Benzyl chloride can be synthesized by chloromethylation of benzene in the presence of a catalyst (ZnCl2) or by treatment of benzyl alcohol with SO2Cl2. Commercially it is produced by chlorination of boiling toluene in the presence of light. Benzyl chloride can be oxidized to benzoic acid or benzaldehyde, or substituted to give the halogenated, sulfonated or nitrated product.With NH3 it yields mono-, di- or tribenzyl amine. With alcohols in base the benzylalkyl ether is formed. With phenols either the phenolic or nuclear hydrogens can react to give benzylaryl ether or benzylated phenols. Reaction with NaCN gives benzyl cyanide (phenylacetonitrile); with aliphatic primary amines the product is the N-alkylbenzylamine, and with aromatic primary amines N-benzylaniline is formed. Benzyl chloride is converted to butyl benzyl phthalate plasticizer and other chemicals.
General Description    A colorless liquid with an irritating odor. Toxic by inhalation and skin absorption. Flash point 153°F. Slightly soluble in water. Corrosive to metals and tissue. A lachrymator. Density 9.2 lb /gal.
Air & Water Reactions    A lachrymator. Slightly soluble in water.
Reactivity Profile    Halogenated aliphatic compounds, such as Benzyl chloride, are moderately or very reactive. Reactivity generally decreases with increased degree of substitution of halogen for hydrogen atoms. Materials in this group are incompatible with strong oxidizing and reducing agents. Also, they are incompatible with many amines, nitrides, azo/diazo compounds, alkali metals, and epoxides.
Hazard    Highly toxic, intense eye and skin irritant. A lachrymator. Upper respiratory tract irritant. Prob- able carcinogen.
Health Hazard    Benzyl chloride is a corrosive liquid. Con tact with the eyes can cause corneal injury.Exposure to its vapors can produce intenseirritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Highconcentrations may cause lung edema anddepression of the central nervous system.Flury and Zernik (1931) stated that exposureto 16 ppm for 1 minute was intolerable tohumans. The LC50 values for a 2-hour expo sure in mice and rats are 80 and 150 ppm,respectively. The subcutaneous LD50 valuein rats is 1000 mg/kg (NIOSH 1986).
Benzyl chloride tested positive to thehistidine reversion–Ames test for mutagenic ity. Subcutaneous administration of this com pound in laboratory animals caused tumors atthe site of application.
Fire Hazard    Benzyl chloride burns but does not ignite readily. Benzyl chloride may ignite combustibles. When heated to decomposition, Benzyl chloride emits toxic and corrosive fumes. Some organic chlorides decompose to yield phosgene. Incompatible with active metals such as copper, aluminum, magnesium, iron, zinc, and tin and keep from strong oxidizing agents. Avoid contact with acids or acid fumes. Keep separate from oxidizing materials. May become unstable at elevated temperatures and pressures; may react with water resulting in some nonviolent release of energy. Polymerizes with evolution of heat and hydrogen chloride when in contact with all common metals except nickel and lead.
Chemical Reactivity    Reactivity with Water Undergoes slow hydrolysis, liberating hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid); Reactivity with Common Materials: Decomposes rapidly in the presence of all common metals (with the exception of nickel and lead), liberating heat and hydrogen chloride; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Rinse with sodium bicarbonate or lime solution; Polymerization: Polymerizes with evolution of heat and hydrogen chloride when in contact with all common metals except nickel and lead; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Triethylamine, propylene oxide or sodium carbonate.
Potential Exposure    Used as an intermediate and as an irritant gas in chemical warfare. In contrast to phenyl halides, benzyl halides are very reactive. Benzyl chloride is used in production of benzal chloride, benzyl alcohol, and benzaldehyde. Industrial usage includes the manufacture of benzyl compounds, cosmetics, dyes, plastics, synthetic tannins, perfumes and resins. It is used in the manufacture of many pharmaceuticals. Suggested uses of benzyl chloride include: the vulcanization of fluororubbers and the benzylation of phenol and its derivatives for the production of possible disinfectants.
Carcinogenicity    Benzyl chloride caused genetic mutations and chromosome-damaging effects in a wide variety of in vitro assays; it was not mutagenic in vivo in the mouse micronucleus assay
Source    As of October 1996, benzyl chloride was listed for regulation but no MCLGs or MCLs have been proposed (U.S. EPA, 1996).
Reported as an impurity (? 0.05 wt %) in 98.5 wt % benzyl mercpatan (Chevron Phillips, April 2005).
Environmental fate    Biological. When incubated with raw sewage and raw sewage acclimated with hydrocarbons, benzyl chloride degraded forming nonchlorinated products (Jacobson and Alexander, 1981).
Chemical/Physical. Anticipated products from the reaction of benzyl chloride with ozone or OH radicals in the atmosphere are chloromethyl phenols, benzaldehyde and chlorine radicals (Cupitt, 1980).
Slowly hydrolyzes in water forming HCl and benzyl alcohol. The estimated hydrolysis half-life in water at 25 °C and pH 7 is 15 h (Mabey and Mill, 1978). The hydrolysis rate constant for benzyl chloride at pH 7 and 59.2 °C was determined to be 0.0204/min, resulting in a half-life of 34 min (Ellington et al., 1986).
May polymerize in contact with metals except nickel and lead (NIOSH, 1997).
When heated to decomposition, hydrogen chloride gas may be released (CHRIS, 1984).
Shipping    UN1738 Benzyl chloride, Hazard class: 6.1; Labels: 6.1—Poisonous materials, 8—Corrosive material.
Purification Methods    Dry it with MgSO4 or CaSO4, or reflux it with fresh Ca turnings, then fractionally distil it under reduced pressure, collecting the middle fraction and storing it over CaH2 or P2O5. It has also been purified by passage through a column of alumina. Alternatively it is dried over MgSO4 and distilled in a vacuum. The middle fraction is degassed by several freeze-thaw cycles and then fractionated in an 'isolated fractionating column' (which has been evacuated and sealed off at ~10-6 mm) over a steam bath. The middle fraction is retained. The final samples are distilled in a vacuum from this sample and again retaining the middle fraction. The purity is >99.9% (no other peaks are visible by GLC, and the NMR spectrum is consistent with the structure. [Mohammed & Kosower J Am Chem Soc 93 1709 1971, Beilstein 5 IV 809.] IRRITANT and strongly LACHRYMATORY.
Incompatibilities    May form explosive mixture with air. Contact with water forms hydrogen chloride fumes. Strong oxidizers may cause fire and explosions. Unstabilized benzyl chloride undergoes polymerization with copper, aluminum, iron, zinc, magnesium, tin, and other common metals except lead and nickel, with the liberation of heat and hydrogen chloride gas. May accumulate static electrical charges, and may cause ignition of its vapors. Attacks some plastics and rubber. Thermal decomposition and polymerization reactions are inhibited, to a limited extent, by addition of triethylamine, propylene oxide, or sodium carbonate.
Waste Disposal    Incineration @ 816 C for 0.5 second minimum for primary combustion and 1204 C for 12.0 second for secondary combustion. Elemental chlorine formation may be alleviated by injection of steam or methane into the combustion process.

Benzyl chloride is an industrial intermediate chemical used in the production of a variety of materials.  The primary purpose of benzyl chloride is to add benzyl functionality to different molecules to change their chemical properties. This is used in the production of plasticizers, sanitizing agents, oil extraction materials, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, biocides, dyes & pigments, heat exchanging fluids, flavors & fragrances, Benzyl Alcohol and specialty chemicals.

Applications & Features
Plasticizers
Surfactants
Oilfield
Sanitizing Agent
Pharmaceuticals
Agrochemicals
Heat exchanging fluids
Flavor & fragrances
Biocides
Specialty chemicals
Dyes & pigments
Raw material for Benzyl Alcohol