What are the products of the following reaction? C ₆ H ₅ COOCH ₂ C ₆ H ₅ H ₂, Pd/C

Step-by-step solution

The given reactant is benzyl benzoate, which is a benzyl ester. Benzyl esters undergo hydrogenolysis in the presence of H ₂ and Pd/C catalyst. Under these mild conditions, the ester carbonyl group is not reduced. Instead, the C-O bond between the benzyl group and the oxygen atom is selectively cleaved. The reaction proceeds as follows: C ₆ H ₅ COOCH ₂ C ₆ H ₅ + H ₂ Pd/C C ₆ H ₅ COOH + C ₆ H ₅ CH ₃ The products formed are benzoic acid ( C ₆ H ₅ COOH ) and toluene ( C ₆ H ₅ CH ₃ ). Answer: C ₆ H ₅ COOH + C ₆ H ₅ CH ₃