What is basilate?

A basilate is a salt of a base that contains the basilate anion, which has the chemical formula C6H5CH2O-. Basilates are typically formed by the reaction of a base with benzyl alcohol, which is a primary alcohol. The most common basilate is sodium basilate, which is used as a catalyst in a variety of chemical reactions, including the production of biodiesel. Basilates can also be used as precursors to other compounds, such as benzoic acid and benzyl chloride.

Here is the chemical structure of the basilate anion:

```

O-

|

CH2-

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C6H5

```