Chemistry of Diphenylmethane

Chemistry of Diphenylmethane

Chemistry of Diphenylmethane

Diphenylmethane is an organic compound with the formula (C₆H₅)₂CH₂or C₁₃H₁₂

The compound consists of methane wherein two hydrogen atoms are replaced by two phenyl groups.

Diphenylmethane forms a common skeleton in organic chemistry; the diphenylmethyl group is also known as benzhydryl.

Natural Occurring Sources -  1,1'-Methylenebisbenzene has been identified as a component in crude oils

Synthesis

•       The Friedel-Craft reaction of benzyl chloride with benzene in the presence of aluminum chloride is an important method for production of diphenylmethane.

•        Other known catalysts of this process are elemental aluminum, iron(III) chloride, antimony pentachloride, zinc chloride-hydrogen chloride and boron fluoride dihydrate.

•       When sulfuric acid is used as a condensation agent diphenylmethane yields are 83% and with polyphosphoric acid yields are over 90%.

•        Condensation of benzene with formaldehyde in presence of 85% sulfuric acid yields 79% diphenylmethane.

benzyl chloride                                     diphenylmethane

•       Prepared from methylene chloride and benzene with aluminum chloride as catalyst.

Properties of Diphenylmethane:

Molecular Weight:168.239 g/mol                    

Melting Point - 25.4 deg C         

Odor of oranges

Solubility -Freely soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, hexane, benzene; insoluble in liquid ammonia

Summary

•       Diphenylmethane is an organic compound with the formula (C₆H₅)₂CH₂or C₁₃H₁₂

•       1,1'-Methylenebisbenzene has been identified as a component in crude oils

•       Synthesised through Friedel-Craft reaction

For PDF Notes Click on Download Button 

PPT File