Benzyl derivatives indirect

Besides the direct application in a synthetically useful reaction, benzylic derivatives can also be useful in an indirect way. As an example, at several instances in this section it has been mentioned that photocleavage of benzylic derivatives generates acids or bases. Such a fragmentation has been applied e.g., in promoting polymerization. 

Ring-Substituted Derivatives The ring-chlorinated derivatives of benzyl chloride, benzal chloride, and benzotrichloride are produced by the direct side-chain chlorination of the corresponding chlorinated toluenes or by one of several indirect routes if the required chlorotoluene is not readily available. Physical constants of the main ring-chlorinated derivatives of benzyl chloride, benzal chloride, and benzotrichloride are given in Table 4. 

Benzyl chloride and its substituted derivatives are electrochemically reduced indirectly through the mediator, l,4-dihydro-4-methoxycarbonyl-l-methylpyridine anion 35, (equation 27). The rates of the electron transfer between the mediators and benzyl halides, measured by cyclic voltammetry, were found to be about 961 80 M 1 s1. The ratedetermining step was proposed to involve a single electron transfer from the mediator to... 

On account of the activity of benzyl alcohol, its derivatives which contain substituents in the ring are prepared indirectly. Thus, m-nitrobenzyl alcohol is not formed when benzyl alcohol is treated with nitric acid. It is prepared by the action of sodium hydroxide on m-nitrobenzoic aldehyde. 

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