Which one of the following undergoes reaction with 50% sodium hydroxide solution to give the corresponding alcohol and acid? |
Phenol Benzaldehyde Butanal Benzoic acid |
Benzaldehyde |
The correct answer is option 2. Benzaldehyde. Benzaldehyde undergoes reaction with 50% sodium hydroxide solution to give the corresponding alcohol and acid. This reaction is known as the Cannizzaro reaction, which occurs with aldehydes that lack alpha hydrogen atoms. Here is a brief overview of the Cannizzaro reaction: Benzaldehyde reacts with concentrated sodium hydroxide (50%) solution. In this reaction, one molecule of benzaldehyde is reduced to benzyl alcohol, and another molecule is oxidized to benzoic acid.
|