Benzils: A Review on their Synthesis

Abstract This review segregates and outlines all the aspects of the synthesis of Benzil for almost two centuries. Here, state of the art review includes the early synthesis in 1836 to the advancement made over the past years in the knowledge of the preparation of benzil derivatives till the present. Benzil is one of the important and highly underrated organic compounds in which two adjacent carbonyl groups are flanked by two phenyl rings. Apart from its diverse functionality, the reactivity of benzils proclaims its prospects as a reagent for the synthesis of various heterocycles. On recasting benzil, it is possible to obtain a wide variety of utilities in pharmaceuticals, polymer, and material chemistry. This contemplation of the review gives a general perspective of reaction routes, mechanisms and highlights the conversions due to oxidation, and accentuates benzil as an emerging putative target.