Benzaldehyde is an organic compound, and is synthetized by the way that the hydrogen of benzene is substituted by aldehyde. It is the most simple, and also the most commonly used industrial aromatic aldehyde. It is a colorless liquid at room temperature and has a special almond odor. Benzaldehyde is a compound that aldehyde is directly linked to the phenyl group, because it has a similar bitter almond flavor. Benzaldehyde widely exists in plant, especially in the Rosaceae plants. It is mainly in the form of glycosides in plant stem bark, leaves or seeds, such as amygdalin, bitter almond, cherry, laurel, peach. Benzaldehyde is naturally in bitter almond oil, patchouli oil, hyacinth oil, cananga oil. The compound is also in the nutlets and nuts, and exists in the form of Amygdalin, which is combination of glycosides. The chemical properties of Benzaldehyde is similar to that of aliphatic aldehydes, but It is also different. Benzaldehyde cannot reduce fehling reagent. When the reducing fat is used to reduce the benzaldehyde, the main products are benzene methanol, four substituted for the ortho-glycol and two-phenyl ethylene glycol. In the presence of potassium cyanide, two molecules of benzaldehyde form benzoin by acceptance the hydrogen atom. The substitution reaction in aromatic nucleus of benzaldehyde is mainly the meta-position product. For example, the main product is the m-nitrobenzaldehyde , when benzaldehyde is nitrated.
benzaldehyde structure
Benzaldehyde is the main, characteristic component of bitter almond oil. It occurs in many other essential oils and is a colorless liquid with a bitter almond odor. In the absence of inhibitors, benzaldehyde undergoes autoxidation to perbenzoic acid, which reacts with a second molecule of benzaldehyde to yield benzoic acid. Hydrogenation of benzaldehyde yields benzyl alcohol, and condensation with aliphatic aldehydes leads to additional fragrance substances or their unsaturated intermediates.Unsaturated araliphatic acids are obtained through the Perkin reaction, for example, the reaction with acetic anhydride to give cinnamic acid.
Benzaldehyde is used in aroma compositions for its bitter almond odor. It is the starting material for a large number of araliphatic fragrance and flavor materials.
1. Benzaldehyde is an important raw material for medicine, dyestuff, perfume and resin industry. It also can be used as solvent, plasticizer and low temperature lubricant. In essence, it is mainly used for the deployment of food flavor. A small amount of benzaldehyde is daily use in flavor and flavor of tobacco. In spite of being widely used as commercial food condiment and industrial solvents, the main use of benzyl alcohol is still used to synthesize a variety of other compounds from pharmaceuticals to plastic additives. Benzyl alcohol is an important intermediate product in the production of perfumes, spices, and some aniline dyes.
Mandelic acid was synthesized by benzaldehyde as the starting reagent: With the first hydrocyanic acid reacts with benzaldehyde, then mandelonitrile hydrolyzed to Racemic mandelic acid. Glacialist LaChepelle and Stillman reported Ice crystallization is inhibited by benzaldehyde and aldehydes ice in 1966, so as to prevent the thick frost formation (Depth Hoar). This process can prevent snowslide caused by the instability of the snow cover. However, this compound has not been used extensively, because of the destruction of vegetation and polluted water sources.
2.It is mainly used for the preparation of flavors, such as almond, cherry, peach, nuts, etc., the amount is up to 40%. As aromatizing agent canned cherry syrup, adding amount is sugar 3mL/kg.
3. Pharmaceutical, dyestuff, spice intermediates. For the production of oxygen based benzene formaldehyde, lauric acid, lauric aldehyde, malachite, benzyl benzoate, benzyl aniline and benzylidene acetone etc.. Used to tune the soap flavor, edible essence, etc.
4. As the head of the special aroma, it is used trace formula for fragrance, such as lilac, white, violet, jasmine, acacia, sunflower, sweet plum, orange flower, Tofu pudding etc.. Also it is used in soap. Also it can be used as edible spices for almond, coconut cream, berries, cherries, apricots, peaches, plums, walnuts, and vanilla bean, spicy flavor. Wine with flavors such as rum, brandy, etc.
5. Benzaldehyde is an intermediate of herbicide resistance, plant growth regulator, and anti-amine.
6. Used as a reagent for the determination of ozone, phenol, alkaloid and methylene. Used in the preparation of spices.
Benzaldehyde can be slowly oxidized to benzoic acid in air, so a small amount of hydroquinone is often added to prevent its oxidation.
There is no α-H atom in the benzaldehyde molecule. Disproportionation reaction(Cannizarro reaction) may occur under the action of concentrated alkali:
Heating benzaldehyde in the presence of catalyst of cyanide ion, it will occur bimolecular condensation:
Benzaldehyde is a clear to yellowish liquidwith an almond odor. The odor threshold is 0.042 ppm.Molecular weight=106.13; Specific gravity (H2O:1)=1.1;Boiling point=179℃; Freezing/Melting point=2 56℃;Flash point=63℃ (cc); Vapor pressure=0.99 mmHg at20℃; Autoignition temperature=190℃. Explosive limits:LEL=1.4%, UEL=13.5%. Hazard Identification (basedon NFPA-704 M Rating System): Health 2, Flammability 2,Reactivity 1. Practically insoluble in water;solubility=0.3 g/100 mL
Benzaldehyde is a colorless to yellow, oily liquid with an odor of bitter almonds. Benzaldehyde is commercially available in two grades: (i) pure benzaldehyde and (ii) and double-distilled benzaldehyde. The latter has applications in the pharmaceutical, perfume, and fl avor industries. Benzaldehyde may contain trace amounts of chlorine, water, benzoic acid, benzyl chloride, benzyl alcohol, and/or nitrobenzene. Benzaldehyde is ignited relatively easily on contact with hot surfaces. This has been attributed to the property of very low auto-ignition temperature. Benzaldehyde also undergoes autoxidation in air and is liable to self-heat. It is used as a food flavoring and in the manufacture of dyes and antibiotics, and can be readily manufactured by the chlorination of methylbenzene and the subsequent hydrolysis of (dichloromethyl) benzene: C6H5CH3 + Cl2 →C6H5CHCl2C6H5CHCl2 + 2H2O →C6H5CH(OH)2+ 2HCl C6H5CH(OH)2 →C6H5CHO + H2O.
Benzaldehyde exists in nature, occurring in combined and uncombined forms in many plants. It is also the main constituent of the essential oils obtained by pressing the kernels of peaches, cherries, apricots, and other fruits. Benzaldehyde is released into the environment in emissions from combustion processes, such as gasoline and diesel engines, incinerators, and wood burning. It is formed in the atmosphere through photochemical oxidation of toluene and other aromatic hydrocarbons.
Manufacture of dyes, perfumery, cinnamic and mandelic acids, as solvent; in flavors.
Benzaldehyde is used as an intermediatein the production of flavoring chemicals,such as cinnamaldehyde, cinnamalalcohol,and amyl- and hexylcinnamaldehyde for perfume,soap, and food flavor; synthetic penicillin,ampicillin, and ephedrine; and as araw material for the herbicide Avenge. Itoccurs in nature in the seeds of almonds,apricots, cherries, and peaches. It occurs intrace amounts in corn oil.
Benzaldehyde is a flavoring agent which is liquid and colorless, and
has an almond-like odor. it has a hot (burning) taste. it is oxidized
to benzoic acid when exposed to air and deteriorates under light.
it is miscible in volatile oils, fixed oils, ether, and alcohol; it is spar-
ingly soluble in water. it is obtained by chemical synthesis and by
natural occurrence in oils of bitter almond, peach, and apricot
kernel. it is also termed benzoic aldehyde.
Benzaldehyde is prepared by hydrolysis of benzal chloride, for example, in acidic media in the presence of a catalyst such as ferric chloride or in alkaline media with aqueous sodium carbonate. Part of the commercially available benzaldehyde originates from a technical process for phenol. In this process, benzaldehyde is a by-product in the oxidation, in air, of toluene to benzoic acid.
ChEBI: Benzaldehyde is an arenecarbaldehyde that consists of benzene bearing a single formyl substituent; the simplest aromatic aldehyde and parent of the class of benzaldehydes. It has a role as a flavouring agent, a fragrance, an odorant receptor agonist, a plant metabolite, an EC 3.5.5.1 (nitrilase) inhibitor and an EC 3.1.1.3 (triacylglycerol lipase) inhibitor.
Benzaldehyde reacts with many chemicals in a marked manner: (1) with ammonio-silver nitrate (“Tollen’s solution”) to form metallic silver, either as a black precipitate or as an adherent mirror film on glass (but does not reduce alkaline cupric solution, “Fehling’s solution”); (2) with rosaniline (fuchsine, magenta) that has been decolorized by sulfurous acid (“Schiff’s solution”), restoring the pink color of rosaniline; (3) with NaOH solution, yielding benzyl alcohol and sodium benzoate; (4) with NH4OH, yielding tribenzaldeamine (hydrobenzamide, (C6H5CH)3N2), white solid, mp 101 °C, (5) with aniline, yielding benzylideneaniline (“Schiff’s base” C6H5CH:NC6H5); (6) with sodium cyanide in alcohol, yielding benzoin C6H5·CHOHCOC6H5, white solid, mp 133 °C; (7) with hydroxylamine hydrochloride, yielding benzaldoximes C6H5CH:NOH, white solids, antioxime, mp 35 °C, syn-oxime, mp 130 °C; (8) with phenylhydrazine, yields benzaldehyde phenylhydrazone C6H5CH:NNHC6H5, pink solid, mp 156 °C; (9) with concentrated HNO3, yields metanitrobenzaldehyde NO2·C6H4CHO, white solid, mp 58 °C; (10) with concentrated H2SO4 yields metabenzaldehyde sulfonic acid C6H4CHO (SO3H)2, (11) with anhydrous sodium acetate and acetic anhydride at 180 °C, yielding sodium benzoate C6H5CHOONa (12) with sodium hydrogen sulfite, forming benzaldehyde sodium bisulfite C6H5CHOHSO3Na, a white solid, from which benzaldehyde is readily recoverable by treatment with sodium carbonate solution; (13) with acetaldehyde made slightly alkaline with NaOH, yielding cinnamic aldehyde C6H5CH:CHCHO, (14) with phosphorus pentachloride, yielding benzylidine chloride C6H5CHCl2.
Detection: 100 ppb to 4.6 ppm; Recognition: 330 ppb to 4.1 ppm.
Taste characteristics at 50 ppm: sweet, oily, almond, cherry, nutty and woody
Benzaldehyde appears as a clear colorless to yellow liquid with a bitter almond odor. Flash point near 145 °F. More denser than water and insoluble in water. Hence sinks in water. Vapors are heavier than air. The primary hazard is to the environment. Immediate steps should be taken to limit spread to the environment. Easily penetrates the soil to contaminate groundwater and nearby waterways. Used in flavoring and perfume making.
Oxidizes in air to form benzoic acid, which is moderately toxic by ingestion. Insoluble in water.
A nontoxic, combustible liquid, reacts with oxidizing reagents. Benzaldehyde must be blanketed with an inert gas at all times since Benzaldehyde is oxidized readily by air to benzoic acid [Kirk-Othmer, 3rd ed., Vol. 3, 1978, p. 736]. In contact with strong acids or bases Benzaldehyde will undergo an exothermic condensation reaction [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 327]. A violent reaction was observed on contact with peroxyacids (peroxyformic acid) [DiAns, J. et al., Ber., 1915, 48, p. 1136]. An explosion occurred when pyrrolidine, Benzaldehyde, and propionic acid were heated to form porphyrins.
Benzaldehyde exhibited low to moderate toxicityin test animals, the poisoning effectdepending on dosage. Ingestion of 50–60 mLmay be fatal to humans. Oral intake of a largedose can cause tremor, gastrointestinal pain,and kidney damage. Animal experimentsindicated that ingestion of this compoundby guinea pigs caused tremor, bleeding fromsmall intestine, and an increase in urine volume;in rats, ingestion resulted in somnolenceand coma.
LD50 value, oral (guinea pigs): 1000 mg/kg
LD50 value, oral (rats): 1300 mg/kg
A 500-mg amount for a 24-hour periodresulted in moderate skin irritation in rabbits.Because of its low toxicity, high boilingpoint, and low vapor pressure, the healthhazard to humans from exposure to benzaldehydeis very low.
HIGHLY FLAMMABLE: Will be easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Vapors may form explosive mixtures with air. Vapors may travel to source of ignition and flash back. Most vapors are heavier than air. They will spread along ground and collect in low or confined areas (sewers, basements, tanks). Vapor explosion hazard indoors, outdoors or in sewers. Runoff to sewer may create fire or explosion hazard. Containers may explode when heated. Many liquids are lighter than water.
Flammability and Explosibility
Non flammable
Reactivity with Water: No reaction; Reactivity with Common Materials: No reactions; Stability During Transport: Stable; Neutralizing Agents for Acids and Caustics: Not pertinent; Polymerization: Not pertinent; Inhibitor of Polymerization: Not pertinent.
Thiosemicarbazones (TSCs) and their metal complexes have been subjected to study over several decades. Their medicinal importance as anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic has been explored. Benzaldehyde and its derivatives are found in many natural systems. Researches reveals that benzaldehyde TSCs suppressed the formation of mycolic acid and have also emerged as tyrosinase inhibitors[1].
Benzaldehyde significantly inhibited peptic activity in artificial gastric juice in vitro
(20-45% inhibition) and in vivo to the extent of 87% in normal healthy persons and ulcer patients
(Kleeberg, 1959). As a freshly prepared 1:500 solution, it exerted a marked antispasmodic effect,
relaxing the tonus and inhibiting contractions of various isolated smooth muscles of dog, cat, rat,
rabbit, mouse, guinea-pig, pig and frog and of a few human tissues. Injected into rabbits and other
animals it produced a marked relaxation of the intestines and urinary bladder and marked vasodilation
of the splanchnic vessel. Injection of 4 ml of a 5% solution iv into a cat caused a fall in
blood pressure and slowing of respiration. In dogs, 1 ml injected iv or sc or 2 ml/kg given orally
produced only a slight slowing of respiration. Injection of larger doses iv produced only a drop
in blood pressure, slight slowing of respiration and inhibition of intestinal contractions, with vasodilation
of the splanchnic vessel. In rabbits, iv injection of 20 ml of a 0-2% solution did not produce
dangerous results. Large injected doses of benzaldehyde exert their mosjt important toxic effects
on the medulla, with slowing or paralysis of respiration. In the intact animal, the heart is very
little affected; but benzaldehyde acts as a muscular depressant on isolated frog heart (Macht, 1922).
Treatment of isolated rat striated muscle for 1-5 min with 30 mM-benzaldehyde increased the
rate of propagation of contractures and the rate of structural breakdown of injured striated muscle
fibres. After more prolonged application (for 30 min), the rapid propagation of contracture continued
but the structural breakdown was inhibited (Busing, 1972).
Benzaldehyde possessed definite local anaesthetic properties in the sciatic nerves of cats, dogs
and frogs, in the eyes of rabbits and dogs (accompanied by irritation) and in the skin of frogs,
but was considered unsuitable for practical use because of its rapid oxidation to benzoic acid (Macht,
1922).
In a study of the toxic effects of cherry laurel water on mice and on isolated rat intestine, benzaldehyde
was found to aid in the detoxication of HCN by the formation of C6H5CH(OH)CN (Lanza
& Conte, 1964).
Benzaldehyde did not act as a cross-linking (tanning) agent for corium and aorta, since in a
015 M solution it did not increase the observed in vitro hydrothermal shrinkage temperatures of
goat skin and human, bovine and canine aortae (Milch, 1965).
The intestinal absorption-rate coefficients of benzaldehyde and related compounds were determined
by perfusion of aqueous solutions through the small intestines of anaesthetized rats (Nogami, Hanano
& Yamada, 1968).
No changes in gastric motor patterns, including gastric motility, were observed in rats after inhalation
of "toxic levels" (not specified) of benzaldehyde from a liquid sample placed in a test chamber
using recirculated air, or from a saturated paper applied to the trachea (Roth & Tansy, 1972).
Benzaldehyde in a concentration of 0-1 mmol/litre caused a 16% depression of the frequency of
electric-organ discharge in the mormyrid electric fish Gnathonemus moori (Walsh & Schopp, 1966).
Poison by ingestion
and intraperitoneal routes. Moderately
toxic by subcutaneous route. An allergen.
Acts as a feeble local anesthetic. Local
contact may cause contact dermatitis.
Causes central nervous system depression in
small doses and convulsions in larger doses.
A skin irritant. Questionable carcinogen
with experimental tumorigenic data.
Mutation data reported. Combustible liquid.
To fight fire, use water (may be used as a
blanket), alcohol, foam, dry chemical. A
strong reducing agent. Reacts violently with
peroxyformic acid and other oxidizers. See
also ALDEHYDES.
Natural benzaldehyde is obtained by extraction and subsequent fractional distillation from botanical sources; synthetically, from benzyl chloride and lime or by oxidation of toluene
In manufacture of perfumes, dyes, and
cinnamic acid; as solvent; in flavors.
If this chemical gets into the eyes, remove anycontact lenses at once and irrigate immediately for at least15 min, occasionally lifting upper and lower lids. Seek medical attention immediately. If this chemical contacts theskin, remove contaminated clothing and wash immediatelywith soap and water. Seek medical attention immediately. Ifthis chemical has been inhaled, remove from exposure,begin rescue breathing (using universal precautions, including resuscitation mask) if breathing has stopped and CPR ifheart action has stopped. Transfer promptly to a medicalfacility. When this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention. Give large quantities of water and inducevomiting. Do not make an unconscious person vomit.
Benzaldehyde was among 300 volatile constituents detected in the urine of ten adults . It is commonly converted to hippuric acid in vivo. In the rabbit and dog, hippuric acid appears to be the only metabolite there being practically no formation of benzoyl glucuronide. The conversion of benzaldehyde to benzoic acid in the rabbit follows first-order reaction kinetics
Benzaldehyde should be kept stored in a tightly closed container and protected against
physical damage. Storage of the chemical substance outside or in a detached area is preferred, whereas inside storage should be in a standard flammable liquids storage room or
cabinet. Benzaldehyde should be kept separated from oxidizing materials. Also, storage
and use areas should be no smoking areas. Containers of this material may be hazardous
when empty since they retain product residues (vapors, liquid); observe all warnings and
precautions listed for the product
UN1990 Benzaldehyde, Hazard class: 9; Labels:
9—Miscellaneous hazardous material.
To diminish its rate of oxidation, benzaldehyde usually contains additives such as hydroquinone or catechol. It can be purified via its bisulfite addition compound but usually distillation (under nitrogen at reduced pressure) is sufficient. Prior to distillation it is washed with NaOH or 10% Na2CO3 (until no more CO2 is evolved), then with saturated Na2SO3 and H2O, followed by drying with CaSO4, MgSO4 or CaCl2. [Beilstein 7 IV 505.]
The substance reacts with air, forming
explosive peroxides. Reacts violently with performic acid,
oxidants, aluminum, iron, bases, and phenol, causing fire
and explosion hazard. May self-ignite if absorbed in combustible
material with large surface area, or otherwise dispersed
over large areas. Reacts with rust, amines, alkalies, strong
bases, reducing agents such as hydrideds and active metals.
The initial risk screening level ( IRSL) for benzaldehyde is 0. 4 μg/m3 based on an annual averaging time.
Incineration; add combustible
solvent and spray into incinerator with afterburner.
Workers should be careful when using benzaldehyde because there is a risk of spontaneous combustion. It may ignite spontaneously if it is absorbed onto rags, cleaning cloths,
clothing, sawdust, diatomaceous earth (kieselguhr), activated charcoal, or other materials with large surface areas in workplaces. Workers should avoid handling the chemical
substance and should not cut, puncture, or weld on or near the container. Exposure of
benzaldehyde to air, light, heat, hot surfaces such as hot pipes, sparks, open flames, and
other ignition sources should be avoided. Workers should wear proper personal protective
clothing and equipment
[1] Veg, E., Hashmi, K., Ahmad, M. I., Joshi, S., Khan, A. R., & Khan, T. (2025). Some biological applications and mechanistic insights of Benzaldehyde‐Substituted thiosemicarbazones and their metal complexes: a review. Natural Sciences, 5(1–2).
https://doi.org/10.1002/ntls.70005
