Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Is there a not too complex route to make benzyl alcohol from styrene?

Junk_Enginerd - 4-1-2023 at 06:21

It sounds like an interesting synthesis to try out. Apparently styrene can be oxidized to benzyl alcohol, but I don't know enough to work it out from there...

Fery - 4-1-2023 at 11:37

I do not know how to make benzyl alcohol from styrene easily and cheaply. Ozonolysis of styrene produces benzaldehyde. You can then use some reducing agents but they are more valuable than the product. Maybe self made aluminium isopropoxide could be the cheapest reducing agent. Benzyl alcohol is very cheap to buy, 12 EUR / 500 ml
https://sklep-chemland.pl/en/odczynniki-chemiczne/odczynniki...
16 EUR / 1 L
https://www.laboratoriumdiscounter.nl/en/benzyl-alcohol-995-...
It has beautiful scent of roses, I highly recommend to make it or buy it.
Also benzaldehyde is very cheap to buy, 15 EUR / 500 ml
https://sklep-chemland.pl/en/benzaldehyd-98-loba-ekstra-czys...
20 EUR / 500 ml
https://www.laboratoriumdiscounter.nl/en/benzaldehyde-995-fo...