Triphenylmethanol procedure

Bromobenzene was converted to the Grignard with activated magnesium , and the Grignard was then reacted with benzophenone (12) in analogy with the procedure of Bachmann and Hetzner.32 Triphenylmethanol (13) was obtained in 87% yield, compared to the literature32 value of 89—93%. Next, the Grignard was prepared at —78 °C (Dry Ice-acetone bath) and reacted with (12) at —78°. Reaction for 2.5 hr yielded (13) in 28% yield, and the yield was raised to 73% after 17 hr reaction at —78 °C. 

Interpret the principal peaks in the infrared spectrum of either triphenylmethanol or benzoic acid, depending on the procedure used in this experiment. 

Comment on the use of steam distillation (Sec. 4.4) as a possible alternative procedure for purifying crude triphenylmethanol. Consider what possible starting materials, products, and by-products might be present, and indicate which of these should steam-distill and which should not. Would this method of purification yield pure triphenylmethanol Give your reasoning. 

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