Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2025

Efficient Synthesis of Polyfunctionalized Benzenes in Water via Persulfate-promoted Benzannulation of α,β-Unsaturated Compounds and Alkynes
Published on: December 16, 2019
Chemical Transformations of Benzyl Alcohol Caused by Atomic Chlorine
Dariusz S Sarzyński1, Irena Majerz1
1Department of Basic Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Wroclaw Medical University, Ul. Borowska 211A, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland.
Abstract:
Atomic chlorine present in the polluted troposphere can form potentially carcinogenic compounds as a result of a reaction with a natural product. This paper examines the stability of benzyl alcohol-a natural product commonly found in cosmetics-in interaction with atomic chlorine, which is becoming ever more present in the Earth's atmosphere as a result of its pollution. Research shows that atomic chlorine generated in the gas phase easily penetrates the liquid phase of benzyl alcohol, resulting in the formation of hydrochloric acid. The resulting HCl initiates further transformations of benzyl alcohol. Our study presents the amounts of the reaction products. The quantitative analysis was made using the GC method, and all the products were identified using the GC-MS method. The products include dichloromethyl benzene, 2-chlorobenzyl alcohol, and 3-chlorobenzyl alcohol, which are harmful, but are formed in very small amounts. The harmful substance occurring in a much higher amount is benzyl chloride-that is a product of acidification of benzyl alcohol by HCl.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Chlorination and Bromination of Benzene
Reactions at the Benzylic Position: Halogenation
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Friedel–Crafts Alkylation of Benzene
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution: Friedel–Crafts Acylation of Benzene
Radical Substitution: Halogenation of Alkanes and Alkyl Substituents
In the initiation step of the reaction, the chlorine molecule undergoes homolytic cleavage in the presence of light or heat, forming two highly reactive chlorine radicals. Propagation occurs in two...
Hydrolysis of Chlorobenzene to Phenol: Dow Process

