Question

How to convert Benzyl alcohol to 2-Phenylethanoic acid?

Answer 1

Conversion of Benzyl alcohol to 2-Phenylethanoic acid:-

Step 1: Formation of Benzyl chloride

When the Benzyl alcohol is reacted with Phosphorus pentachloride$\left({\mathrm{PCl}}_5\right)$ it produces Benzyl chloride:

Step 2: Formation of Benzyl cyanide

When the Benzyl chloride formed is reacted with Potassium cyanide in presence of aqueous ethanol it produces Benzyl cyanide:

Step 3: Formation of 2-Phenylethanoic acid

Finally, the Benzyl cyanide is hydrolyzed to form our required 2-Phenylethanoic acid:

This conversion of Benzyl alcohol to 2-Phenylethanoic acid is a 3 step reaction.