Benzoin was first reported in 1832 by Justus von Liebig and Friedrich Woehler during their research on oil of bitter almond, which is benzaldehyde with traces of hydrocyanic acid.

[2] The catalytic synthesis by the benzoin condensation was improved by Nikolay Zinin during his time with Liebig.

[5][6] The conversion proceeds by organic oxidation using copper(II),[7] nitric acid, or oxone.

[8] Benzoin also sees wide spread use in powder coating formulations, where it acts as a degassing agent during the curing stage.

[9][10] Benzoin can be used in the preparation of several pharmaceutical drugs including oxaprozin, ditazole, and phenytoin.