BENZYL ALCOHOL. 313 



off the alcohol and adding water, the benzyl alcohol is 

 extracted by means of ether. Benzyl chloride (p. 274), 

 when heated with an alcoholic solution of potassium 

 acetate, yields benzyl acetate, which is transformed 

 into potassium acetate and benzyl alcohol, by boiling 

 with an alcoholic solution of potassium hydroxide. 



Properties. Colorless liquid of a weak, pleasant 

 odor ; specific gravity, 1.06 ; boiling point, 207. It is 

 liquid at 18. 



Oxidizing substances convert it into oil of bitter al 

 monds and benzoic acid ; hydrochloric and hydrobromic 

 acids into benzyl chloride or bromide (pp. 274 and 276). 

 When distilled with a concentrated solution of potassa, 

 it is resolved into benzoic acid and toluene. Sulphuric 

 acid and other dehydrating agents convert in into a 

 resin. 



Benzylic ether, (C 7 H 7 ) 2 0, is produced by heating 

 benzyl alcohol with anhydrous boracic acid; and by 

 heating benzyl chloride with water at 190. Colorless 

 oil, boiling above 300. 



Benzyl acetate, C 7 II 7 .O.C 2 H 3 0, is formed by mixing 

 benzyl alcohol with acetic and sulphuric acids; arid 

 by heating benzyl chloride with potassium acetate. 

 Colorless liquid of a pleasant odor, boiling at 210. 

 Heavier than water. 



Parachlorbenzyl alcohol, C 6 II 4 C1.CH 2 .OH. The 

 liquid ether (boiling point, 240) of this alcohol is pro 

 duced by heating chlorbenzyl chloride (p. 275) with sil 

 ver acetate. This, heated to 100 with ammonia, yields 

 the alcohol. Long, colorless, spicular crystals. Insolu 

 ble in cold water, difficultly soluble in boiling water. 

 Fuses at 66, and boils without undergoing decomposi 

 tion. 



Paradichlorbenzyl alcohol, C 6 H 3 C1 2 .CH 2 .OH, is 



prepared from dichlorbenzyl chloride (p. 275) like the 

 preceding compound. Colorless needles, but slightly 

 soluble in water ; fusing point, 77. 

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