The methods based on the use of acids as condensing agents were
not considered, because Claisen, who devised them, abandoned them
after he found that alkaline condensing agents gave better results.
The preliminary experiments showed that condensation with sodium
methylate takes a long time and gives a product which it is difficult
to handle in large quantities. The method devised by Kostanecki
and Rossbach[3] has therefore been developed.

[1] Ber. 14, 2463 (1881).

[2] Ber. 20, 657 (1887).

[3] Ber. 29, 1492 (1896).



II

BENZYL BENZOATE

2 C6H5CHO + C6H5CH2ONa--> C6H5CO2CH2C6H5 + C6H5CH2ONa

Prepared by O. KAMM and W. F. KAMM. Checked by ROGER ADAMS and
R. L. JENKINS.

1. Procedure

THREE grams of metallic sodium are dissolved by warming for half an hour
in 70 g. of pure benzyl alcohol (see notes), and after the mixture