Diphenylmethane

Chemical properties

Colorless to pale yellow low melting solid

Occurrence

Has apparently not been reported to occur in nature.

The Uses of Diphenylmethane

Diphenylmethane, is used as an adhesive chemical composition for making flexible laminates for use in food packaging.

Definition

ChEBI: A diarylmethane that is methane substituted by two phenyl groups.

Preparation

By interaction of benzyl chloride and benzene in the presence of an acid cata lyst.

Synthesis Reference(s)

Journal of the American Chemical Society, 91, p. 5663, 1969 DOI: 10.1021/ja01048a053
Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 27, p. 2405, 1979 DOI: 10.1248/cpb.27.2405
The Journal of Organic Chemistry, 57, p. 2143, 1992 DOI: 10.1021/jo00033a041

Metabolism

Diphenylmethane is hydroxylated in the rabbit and some 15% of the dose is excreted as 4-hydroxydiphenylmethane, which is largely (80-90%) in the free state. Neither the hydrocarbon nor its metabolite is oestrogenic. This reaction also occurs in the dog (Williams, 1959).

Purification Methods

Sublime it under vacuum, or distil it at 72-75o/0.4mm. Recrystallise it from cold EtOH. It has also been purified by fractional crystallisation from the melt. [Armarego Aust J Chem 13 95 1960, Beilstein 5 II 498, 5 IV 1841.]