Applications
Benzoic anhydride is used as a benzoylating agent in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, dyes and intermediates. It serves as an arylation agent in the Heck reaction. It is also used to get benzoic acid through dehydration. Further, it is used to prepare furan-2-yl-phenyl-methanone, which is similar to Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction. In addition to this, it is used for the synthesis of carboxylic esters and lactones.

Solubility
Soluble in alcohol, ether, chloroform, acetone, ethyl acetate, benzene, toluene, glacial acetic acid, acetic anhydride and ethanol. Slightly soluble in benzene and acetone. Insoluble in water.

Notes
Moisture sensitive. Incompatible with strong acids, strong oxidizing agents and strong bases.