If ethyl benzoate used to prepare triphenylmethanol is wet, the main byproduct formed is benzoic acid.

Here's why:

* Reaction Conditions: The preparation of triphenylmethanol typically involves a Grignard reaction, which is highly sensitive to the presence of water.

* Hydrolysis: Water reacts with ethyl benzoate, hydrolyzing it to form benzoic acid and ethanol.

* Grignard Reagent: The Grignard reagent (e.g., phenyl magnesium bromide) is also highly reactive with water, destroying it and forming unreactive products.

Therefore, the presence of water in the ethyl benzoate will not only reduce the yield of triphenylmethanol but also lead to the formation of benzoic acid as a significant byproduct.

Reaction Scheme:

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Ethyl Benzoate + H2O → Benzoic Acid + Ethanol

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