Benzyl

Benzyl is the substituent or molecular fragment possessing the structure C6H5CH2-. Benzyl features a benzene ring attached to a CH2 group.

Quotes

 * Benzylic oxidations of alkyl groups take place in the presence of permanganate or chromate; benzylic alcohols are converted into the corresponding ketones by manganese dioxide. The benzylic ether function can be cleaved by hydrogenolysis in a transformation that allows the phenylmethyl (benzyl) substituent to be used as a protecting group for the hydroxy function in alcohols.
 * K. Peter C. Vollhardt, Neil E. Schore (2011) Organic chemistry : structure and function 6th ed. Ch. 22 : Chemistry of Benzene Substituents