Conversion of benzaldehyde into benzyl benzoate from the reaction with lithium metal in hexane

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(97)00334-1

The reaction of benzaldehyde with lithium metal was studied in two solvents and several temperatures as a model for more complex processes. Conditions were achieved to favor the adsorption of reactant on the metal surface, as wed as to slow down diffusion of the reactive species to solution: reaction within adsorbed species produces benzyl benzoate in high yield.