Which of the following are benzylic alcohols?
(a) C6H5−CH2−CH2OH
(b) C6H5−CH2OH
(c) C6H5−CH|CH3−OH
(d) C6H5−CH2−CH|CH3−OH
In benzylic alcohols, the — OH group is attached to a sp3 hybridised carbon atom next to an aromatic ring. In compound (a) and (d), the — OH group is attached to a sp3 hybridised carbon atom but this carbon is not attached to the benzene ring.
On the other hand, in compound (a) and (c), the - OH group is attached to a sp3 hybridised carbon atom next to an aromatic ring.