The method of making phenylacetic acid from benzaldehyde
Now there is a method of making phenylacetic acid, starting with benzaldehyde. First, make benzaldehyde react with a certain reagent. This reagent has nucleophilic properties and can attack the carbonyl carbon of benzaldehyde. The carbonyl of benzaldehyde is basically polar, and the carbon is positively charged, which is easy to be attacked by nucleophilic reagents.

After the nucleophilic reagent is added to the benzaldehyde carbonyl group, an intermediate is obtained. This intermediate is unstable. After a series of reactions such as rearrangement and hydrolysis, it can cause the connection of benzene ring and carboxyl group, and finally obtain phenylacetic acid.

During this period, the reaction conditions are essential, and temperature, pH, etc. can affect the reaction process and yield. Suitable temperature and pH can promote the reaction to go forward and increase the amount of yield. And each step of the reaction needs to be carefully controlled to avoid side reactions and ensure the purity of the product. In this way, phenylacetic acid can be prepared from benzaldehyde.