Benzoin is

Options

A. Compound containing an aldehyde and a ketonic group
B. `alpha, beta` unsaturated acid
C. `alpha`-hydroxy aldehyde
D. `alpha`-hydroxy ketone

Answer

To answer the question "What is benzoin?", we can break it down into several key points:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Definition of Benzoin**:
- Benzoin is an organic compound that is classified as an alpha-hydroxy ketone. It contains both a hydroxyl group (-OH) and a ketone group (C=O) in its structure.

2. **Chemical Structure**:
- The chemical structure of benzoin can be represented as C14H12O2. It has the following structure:
```
OH
|
C6H5-C(OH)-C(=O)-C6H5
```
- Here, the benzoin molecule consists of two phenyl groups (C6H5) attached to a carbon chain that contains the hydroxyl and ketone functional groups.

3. **Formation of Benzoin**:
- Benzoin is typically formed through a reaction known as benzoin condensation. This reaction involves the condensation of two molecules of benzaldehyde in the presence of a catalyst, usually cyanide ions.

4. **Properties of Benzoin**:
- Benzoin is a white crystalline solid at room temperature and is soluble in alcohol and ether but less soluble in water.

5. **Applications**:
- Benzoin is used in various applications, including as a flavoring agent, in the synthesis of other organic compounds, and in the production of certain types of resins.

### Summary:
Benzoin is an alpha-hydroxy ketone with the formula C14H12O2, formed through the condensation of benzaldehyde. It has significant applications in organic chemistry.