Chemical Properties
Clear colorless to pale yellow liquid
Occurrence
Has apparently not been reported to occur in nature.
Preparation
By condensation of phenylacetaldehyde and ethylene glycol (Arctander, 1969).
Safety Profile
Moderately toxic by ingestion andskin contact. When heated to decomposition it emits acridsmoke and irritating fumes.
Metabolism
Phenylacetaldehyde ethyleneglycol acetal is presumably capable of being hydrolysed to form phenylacetaldehyde and ethylene glycol (Fassett, 1963).
Purification Methods
Dissolve 2-benzyl-1,3-dioxolane in CH2Cl2, wash well with 1M NaOH, dry over K2CO3, filter, evaporate and distil it through a short path still (Kügelrohr). It has also been purified by preparative gas chromatography. [Raber & Guida Synthesis 808 1974, Lloyd & Luberoff J Org Chem 34 3949 1969, Beilstein 19 III/IV 220.]
