In organic chemistry, benzoyl (, ) is the functional group with the formula C₆H₅CO-. It can be viewed as

benzaldehyde Benzaldehyde (C6H5CHO) is an organic compound consisting of a benzene ring with a formyl substituent. It is the simplest aromatic aldehyde and one of the most industrially useful. It is a colorless liquid with a characteristic almond-like odor. ...

missing one hydrogen. The term "benzoyl" should not be confused with benzyl, which has the formula C₆H₅CH₂. The benzoyl group is given the symbol "Bz". Benzyl is commonly abbreviated "Bn".

Sources

Benzoyl chloride Benzoyl chloride, also known as benzenecarbonyl chloride, is an organochlorine compound with the formula . It is a colourless, fuming liquid with an irritating odour, and consists of a benzene ring () with an acyl chloride () substituent. It i ...

is a favored source of benzoyl groups, being used to prepare benzoyl ketones, benzamides (benzoyl amides), and benzoate esters. The source of many naturally occurring benzoyl compounds is the thioester benzoyl-CoA. Irradiation of benzil generates benzoyl radicals, which have the formula PhCO.

Benzoyl compounds

Many ketones contain the benzoyl group. They have the formula C₆H₅CO–R, an important example being benzophenone. Benzoyl esters and amides are common in organic chemistry. The esters are used as a

protecting group A protecting group or protective group is introduced into a molecule by chemical modification of a functional group to obtain chemoselectivity in a subsequent chemical reaction. It plays an important role in multistep organic synthesis. In many ...

s in

organic synthesis Organic synthesis is a special branch of chemical synthesis and is concerned with the intentional construction of organic compounds. Organic molecules are often more complex than inorganic compounds, and their synthesis has developed into one o ...

, which can be easily removed by hydrolysis in dilute

basic BASIC (Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code) is a family of general-purpose, high-level programming languages designed for ease of use. The original version was created by John G. Kemeny and Thomas E. Kurtz at Dartmouth College ...

solution. Benzoyl-β-D-glucoside is a natural substance that can be found in '' Pteris ensiformis''. Radikal benzoil

References

{{Functional group, state=expanded Acyl groups Phenyl compounds