Question

$2C_6{H}_{5}CHO\stackrel{NaOH}{\to }{C}_6{H}_{5}C{H}_{2}OH+C_6{H}_{5}COONa$ The same reaction can take place with which ofthe following aldehydes ?

• A. $C{H}_{3}CHO$
• B. $C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}CHO$
• C. ${(C{H}_3)}_{3}CCHO$
• D. ${(C{H}_3)}_{2}CHCHO$

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

The given reaction is Cannizaro reaction. It is given by only those aldehydes in which $\alpha -H$ atom is not present. Hence, ${\text{(C}{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}\text{)}}_{\text{3}}\text{C}\text{.CHO}$ due to the absence of $\alpha -H$ atom gives the Cannizaro reaction as $2{(C{H}_3)}_{3}C.CHO\stackrel{\text{Conc}\text{.}\text{NaOH}}{\to }{(C{H}_3)}_{3}C.C{H}_{2}OH$ $+{(C{H}_3)}_{3}C.COONa$ ${\text{(C}{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}\text{)}}_{\text{2}}\text{CHCHO}$ also give Cannizaro reaction, however in if $\alpha -H$ atom is present