Benzoin

Description

Benzoin（known as benzoin gum and benzoin resin），is a spice made from the resin obtained from wounding the trunk of several benzoin trees. The benzoin tree is distributed in Sumatra, Java and the Malay Peninsula in Indonesia, and the trade name is Sumatra benzoin; the Siamese benzoin tree is distributed in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China's Yunnan and Guangxi, and the trade name is Siam (Thailand) benzoin.

Chemical properties

White or light yellow prismatic crystal, insoluble in cold water, slightly soluble in hot water and ether, soluble in ethanol. It can reduce Fehling's solution and react with concentrated sulfuric acid to generate bibenzoyl.

The Uses of Benzoin

DL-Benzoin has anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties in medicine, and has a diuretic effect when taken orally. It can also be used as an expectorant for chronic bronchitis. It is widely used as an additive in cosmetics such as perfume, soap, detergent, vanishing cream, etc.

Definition

ChEBI: Benzoin is a ketone that consists of acetophenone bearing hydroxy and phenyl substituents at the alpha-position. The parent of the class of benzoins. It has a role as an EC 3.1.1.1 (carboxylesterase) inhibitor. It is a member of benzoins and a secondary alpha-hydroxy ketone.

Synthesis

The mixtrue of benzaldehyde and ethanol was adjusted to pH 7-8 with sodium hydroxide solution, refluxed with 3% sodium cyanide at 75-80℃ for 0.5h. The solution was cooled down to -10 °C and filtered to give DL-Benzoin, 90%.