Question

The correct sequence of steps involved in the mechanism of Cannizzaro's reaction is

• A. nucleophilic attack, transfer of ${\text{H}}^{\text{-}}$ and transfer of ${\text{H}}^{+}$
• B. transfer of ${\text{H}}^{-}$ , transfer of ${\text{H}}^{+}$ and nucleophilic attack
• C. transfer of ${\text{H}}^{+}$ , nucleophilic attack and transfer of ${\text{H}}^{-}$
• D. electrophilic attack by $\text{O}{\text{H}}^{-}$ , transfer of ${\text{H}}^{-}$ and

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

The Cannizzaro reaction is as $\text{HCHO + HCHO}\stackrel{\text{KOH(con}\text{.)}}{\to }\underset{\text{methyl alcohol}}{\text{C}{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}\text{OH}}\text{+}\underset{\text{acetic acid}}{\text{HCOO}{\text{k}}^{\text{+}}}$ The mechanism of Cannizzaro reaction is as Step I Attack of nucleophile $\text{O}{\text{H}}^{-}$ to the carbonyl carbon
Step II The transfer of hydride ion from anion (I) to second molecule of aldehyde and finally rapid transfer of proton takes place.