Which one of the following undergoes reaction with 50% sodium hydroxide solution to give the corresponding alcohol and acid?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
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.
The reaction can be summarized as follows:

So, the correct answer is Benzaldehyde.