Phenylglyoxylic acid

Phenylglyoxylic acid is the organic compound with the formula C₆H₅C(O)CO₂H. The conjugate base, known as benzoylformate is the substrate of benzoylformate decarboxylase, a thiamine diphosphate-dependent enzyme:

benzoylformate + H⁺ ⇌ benzaldehyde + CO₂

Phenylglyoxylic acid

Names
IUPAC name 2-Oxo-2-phenylacetic acid
Other names Benzoyl formate Phenylglyoxalic acid Phenylglyoxylate
Identifiers
CAS Number	611-73-4^Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChEBI	CHEBI:18280^N
ChemSpider	11421^N
ECHA InfoCard	100.009.345
EC Number	210-278-7
KEGG	C02137^N
PubChem CID	11915
UNII	2PZL5A0W0M^Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID80209993
InChI InChI=1S/C8H6O3/c9-7(8(10)11)6-4-2-1-3-5-6/h1-5H,(H,10,11)^N Key: FAQJJMHZNSSFSM-UHFFFAOYSA-N^N InChI=1/C8H6O3/c9-7(8(10)11)6-4-2-1-3-5-6/h1-5H,(H,10,11) Key: FAQJJMHZNSSFSM-UHFFFAOYAS
SMILES C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(=O)C(=O)O
Properties
Chemical formula	C8H6O3
Molar mass	150.13 g/mol
Appearance	colorless solid
Melting point	64 to 66 °C (147 to 151 °F; 337 to 339 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N verify (what is ^YN ?)
Infobox references

It is a colourless solid with a melting point of 64–66 °C and is moderately acidic (pK_a = 2.15).

Phenylglyoxylic acid can be synthesized by oxidation of mandelic acid with potassium permanganate.[1] An alternative synthesis involves hydrolysis of benzoyl cyanide.[2]

References

1. B. B. Corson, Ruth A. Dodge, S. A. Harris, and R. K. Hazen (1941). "Ethyl Benzoylformate". Organic Syntheses.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link); Collective Volume, 1, p. 241
2. T. S. Oakwood and C. A. Weisgerber (1955). "Benzoylformic Acid". Organic Syntheses.; Collective Volume, 3, p. 114