Making Benzyl Chloride & Benzaldehyde using Hardware Store Chemicals

What if I told you that you could transform everyday hardware store chemicals into valuable lab reagents? In this video, we take common toluene (sold as paint thinner) and perform radical chlorination using pool chlorine and UV light to produce benzyl chloride a compound once used in chemical warfare and then convert it to benzaldehyde, a key ingredient in many organic syntheses. Along the way, you'll see the challenges, mistakes, and creative glasswork needed to get this reaction right. Plus, we highlight the importance of proper safety and the surprising regulations around these chemicals. Links: SUBSCRIBE ► https://www.youtube.com/c/WheelerScientific?sub_confirmation=1 Discord ► https://discord.gg/kZpaNZU eBay ► https://www.ebay.com/usr/wheelerscientific References and uses: Radial Chlorination - Препаративная органическая химия, Вульфсон Н.С., 188-189, 1959 (Preparative organic chemistry, Wolfson N. S., 188-189, 1959) Benzaldehyde - A class-book of organic chemistry, by J. B. Cohen, 290, 1918 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:44 1st Run 02:56 2nd Run 03:35 Reactor Change 08:38 Radical Chlorination 3rd Run 11:36 Benzaldehyde Synth. Thanks for watching!