Applications
Benzil is used as a pharmaceutical intermediate and uv curing resin photosensitizer. In polymer chemistry, it is used as a photoinitiator. Further, it serves as a potent inhibitor of human carboxylesterases. It is used in the preparation of diketimines by reacting with amines. It is also involved in the famous benil-benzilic acid rearrangement. In addition this, it reacts with 1,3-diphenylacetone to get tetraphenylcyclopentadienone.

Solubility
Soluble in ethanol and ethyl ether. Insoluble in water.

Notes
Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.