In 1832, Benzoin was first synthesized by Justus von Liebig and Friedrich Woehler during their research on oil of bitter almond, which is benzaldehyde with traces of hydrocyanic acid. The catalytic synthesis by the benzoin condensation was improved by the research of Nikolay Zinin during his time with Liebig.

The Benzoin is an organic compound with the formula C₁₄H₁₂O₂. The IUPAC name of this chemical is 2-hydroxy-1,2-diphenylethanone. With the CAS registry number 119-53-9, it is also named as 1,2-Diphenyl-1-hydroxy-2-ethanone. The product's categories are Pharmaceutical Intermediates; Intermediates; Heterocyclic Compounds; Functional Materials; Photopolymerization Initiators; Highly Purified Reagents; Other Categories; Zone Refined Products. Besides, it is a light yellow powder or crystal with a camphor-like odour, which should be stored in a cool and well-ventilated place. The main uses of benzoin are as a precursor to benzil, which is a photoinitiator. The conversion proceeds by organic oxidation with, copper(II), nitric acid, or oxone. In one study, this reaction is carried out with atmospheric oxygen and basic alumina in dichloromethane.

Physical properties about Benzoin are: (1)ACD/LogP: 2.16; (2)ACD/LogD (pH 5.5): 2.159; (3)ACD/LogD (pH 7.4): 2.159; (4)ACD/BCF (pH 5.5): 25.739; (5)ACD/BCF (pH 7.4): 25.738; (6)ACD/KOC (pH 5.5): 355.89; (7)ACD/KOC (pH 7.4): 355.885; (8)#H bond acceptors: 2; (9)#H bond donors: 1; (10)#Freely Rotating Bonds: 4; (11)Polar Surface Area: 37.3 Å²; (12)Index of Refraction: 1.609; (13)Molar Refractivity: 62.306 cm³; (14)Molar Volume: 179.92 cm³; (15)Polarizability: 24.7×10^-24cm³; (16)Surface Tension: 50.656 dyne/cm; (17)Density: 1.18 g/cm³; (18)Flash Point: 154.813 °C; (19)Enthalpy of Vaporization: 61.932 kJ/mol; (20)Boiling Point: 342.999 °C at 760 mmHg.

Preparation: this chemical can be prepared by diphenylethanedione. This reaction will need reagent Xanthomonas oryzae IAM 1657 and solvent H₂O. The reaction time is 3 days with reaction temperature of 30 °C. The yield is about 86%.

Uses of Benzoin: it can be used to produce R-(-)-(E)-benzoin oxime at ambient temperature. It will need reagent NH₂OH*HCl, pyridine with reaction time of 90 min. The yield is about 58%.

When you are using this chemical, please be cautious about it as the following:
It is harmful by inhalation, in contact with skin and if swallowed. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. Besides, this chemical is irritating to eyes, respiratory system and skin. When you are using it, wear suitable protective clothing and avoid contact with skin and eyes.

You can still convert the following datas into molecular structure:
(1)SMILES: c1ccc(cc1)C(C(=O)c2ccccc2)O
(2)InChI: InChI=1/C14H12O2/c15-13(11-7-3-1-4-8-11)14(16)12-9-5-2-6-10-12/h1-10,13,15H
(3)InChIKey: ISAOCJYIOMOJEB-UHFFFAOYAO
(4)Std. InChI: InChI=1S/C14H12O2/c15-13(11-7-3-1-4-8-11)14(16)12-9-5-2-6-10-12/h1-10,13,15H
(5)Std. InChIKey: ISAOCJYIOMOJEB-UHFFFAOYSA-N

The toxicity data is as follows:

Organism	Test Type	Route	Reported Dose (Normalized Dose)	Effect	Source
mouse	LD50	oral	> 3gm/kg (3000mg/kg)	BEHAVIORAL: SOMNOLENCE (GENERAL DEPRESSED ACTIVITY)	Iyakuhin Kenkyu. Study of Medical Supplies. Vol. 15, Pg. 359, 1984.
rabbit	LD50	skin	8870mg/kg (8870mg/kg)		Food and Cosmetics Toxicology. Vol. 11, Pg. 871, 1973.
rat	LD50	oral	10gm/kg (10000mg/kg)		Food and Cosmetics Toxicology. Vol. 11, Pg. 871, 1973.