What is the Difference Between Benzyl Chloride and Benzoyl Chloride?

Benzyl chloride and benzoyl chloride are both organochloride compounds, but they have different chemical structures and properties. The main differences between them are:

1. Chemical Formula: Benzyl chloride has the chemical formula C6H5CH2Cl, while benzoyl chloride has the chemical formula C6H5COCl.
2. Structure: Benzyl chloride is an aromatic halide, consisting of a benzene ring with a chlorine atom attached to a methylene group. Benzoyl chloride, on the other hand, is an acyl chloride, consisting of a benzene ring with an acyl chloride (−C(=O)Cl) substituent.
3. Reactivity: Benzyl chloride can react with alcohols and amines to form corresponding esters and amides, respectively. Benzoyl chloride can undergo Friedel Crafts acylation with aromatic compounds to give the corresponding ketones, and it reacts with water to produce benzoic acid.
4. Preparation: Benzyl chloride can be produced through various methods, including chlorination of benzyl alcohol. Benzoyl chloride can be produced from benzotrichloride using either water or benzoic acid, or by the chlorination of boiling benzaldehyde.
5. Applications: Benzyl chloride is mainly used in the production of benzyl alcohol, which is used to make a wide variety of industrial products, including pharmaceuticals, detergents, textiles, plastics, and resins. Benzoyl chloride is mainly useful for the production of peroxides, as well as in the manufacturing of dyes, perfumes, pharmaceuticals, and resins.

Comparative Table: Benzyl Chloride vs Benzoyl Chloride

Benzyl chloride and benzoyl chloride are both organochloride compounds, but they have different chemical structures and properties. Here is a table summarizing the differences between the two: