The product (Y) in the following reaction is
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → \(C_6H_5CH_2OH\)
Benzaldehyde has no α-hydrogen, so with concentrated alkali it undergoes the Cannizzaro reaction:
\( \displaystyle \ce{2C6H5CHO + NaOH} \xrightarrow[\text{heat}]{\text{conc.}} \ce{C6H5CH2OH + C6H5COONa} \)
Sodium benzoate is the second product shown in the equation, so Y is the reduction product, benzyl alcohol, \( \ce{C6H5CH2OH} \).
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) \(C_6H_5COOH\) — Incorrect. The oxidised half appears as its sodium salt, \( \ce{C6H5COONa} \), already shown; benzoic acid itself forms only when this salt is acidified.
Option (2) \(C_6H_5CH_3\) — Incorrect. Toluene needs complete reduction of CHO to \( \ce{CH3} \), as in the Clemmensen or Wolff-Kishner reduction; alkali alone does not do this.
Option (3) \(C_6H_5OH\) — Incorrect. Phenol would need the loss of the carbon of the CHO group; no step in this reaction removes a carbon atom.
NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Other Reactions
