Phenylglyoxalic acid

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ImageFile=Phenylglyoxalic acid.pngImageSize=200px
IUPACName=2-Oxo-2-phenylacetic acid
OtherNames=Benzoyl formate
Phenylglyoxalate
Section1= Chembox Identifiers
CASNo=611-73-4
PubChem=11915
SMILES=C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(=O)C(=O)O
Section2= Chembox Properties
Formula=C₈H₆O₃
MolarMass=150.13 g/mol
Appearance=
Density=
MeltingPt=64–66 °C
BoilingPt=
Solubility=
Section3= Chembox Hazards
MainHazards=
FlashPt=
Autoignition=

Phenylglyoxalic acid is the organic compound with the formula C₆H₅C(O)CO₂H. The conjugate base, known as benzoyl formate is the substrate of benzoylformate decarboxylase, a thiamine diphosphate-dependent enzyme::benzoylformate + H⁺ $ightleftharpoons$ benzaldehyde + CO₂It is a colourless solid, m.p. 64–66 °C.

Phenylglyoxalic acid can be synthetized by oxidation of mandelic acid with potassium permanganate. [OrgSynth | author = B. B. Corson, Ruth A. Dodge, S. A. Harris, and R. K. Hazen | title = Ethyl Benzoylformate | collvol = 1 | collvolpages = 241| year = 1941 | prep = CV1P0241] An alternative synthesis involves hydrolysis of benzoyl cyanide. [OrgSynth | author = T. S. Oakwood and C. A. Weisgerber | title = Benzoylformic Acid | collvol = 3 | collvolpages = 114| year = 1955 | prep = cv3p0114]

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