Replacing benzyl alcohol (hereafter labelled Ph-CH 2 OH) by an allylic alcohol, such as prenyl alcohol (3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol), was found to act in a similar way. Figure 1: Effect of benzyl.

Benzyl chloride on reacting with aqueous potassium hydroxide undergo substitution reaction.

structure and classification of alcohols In alcohol: Structure and classification of alcohols …referred to as allylic or benzylic if the hydroxyl group is bonded to an allylic carbon atom (adjacent to a C=C double bond) or a benzylic carbon atom (next to a benzene ring), respectively.

Benzyl alcohol (also known as α-Cresol) is an aromatic alcohol with the formula C 6 H 5 CH 2 OH. The benzyl group is often abbreviated "Bn" (not to be confused with "Bz" which is used for benzoyl), thus benzyl alcohol is denoted as BnOH. Benzyl alcohol is a colorless liquid with a mild pleasant aromatic odor.