Benzil is an alpha-diketone that is ethane-1,2-dione substituted by phenyl groups at positions 1 and 2 respectively. It is an alpha-diketone and an aromatic ketone.
Benzil (systematically known as 1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-dione) is the organic compound with the formula (C6H5CO)2, generally abbreviated (PhCO)2. This yellow solid is one of the most common diketones. Its main use is as a photoinitiator in polymer chemistry.