Benzil (i.e. Bz2, systematically known as 1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-dione) is the organic compound with the formula (C6H5CO)2, generally abbreviated (PhCO)2. This yellow solid is one of the most common diketones. Its main use is as a photoinitiator in polymer chemistry.[4]
Structure
The compound's most noteworthy structural feature is the long carbon-carbon bond of 1.54 Å, which indicates the absence of pi-bonding between the two carbonyl centers. The PhCO centers are planar, but the pair of benzoyl groups are twisted with respect to the other with a dihedral angle of 117°.[5] In less hindered analogues (glyoxal, biacetyl, oxalic acid derivatives), the (RCO)2 group adopts a planar, anti-conformation.
Applications
Most benzil can be used as a photoinitiator in the free-radical curing of polymer networks. It absorbs ultraviolet radiation at a wavelength of 260 nm, leading to decomposition with formation of free-radical species and formation of cross-links within the material. However, it is a relatively poor photoinitiator, and is seldom used. It undergoes photobleaching, which allows the curing light to reach deeper layers of the material on longer exposure.[6]Acetal derivatives, such as 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone, have better properties for this application.[6]
Benzil is a potent inhibitor of human carboxylesterases, enzymes involved in the hydrolysis of carboxylesters and many clinically used drugs.[7]
^Hardo Siegel, Manfred Eggersdorfer "Ketones" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry Wiley-VCH, 2002 by Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a15_077
^Quang. Shen, Kolbjoern. Hagen "Gas-phase molecular structure and conformation of benzil as determined by electron diffraction" J. Phys. Chem., 1987, 91 (6), pp 1357–1360. doi:10.1021/j100290a017.
^Wadkins. R. M. et al "Identification and characterization of novel benzil (diphenylethane-1,2-dione) analogues as inhibitors of mammalian carboxylesterases. J. Med. Chem., 2005 48 pp 2906–15.
^Depreux, P.; Bethegnies, G.; Marcincal-Lefebvre, A. (1988). "Synthesis of benzil from benzoin with copper(II) acetate". Journal of Chemical Education. 65 (6): 553. Bibcode:1988JChEd..65..553D. doi:10.1021/ed065p553.
