Question

Benzyl alcohol and sodium benzoate is obtained by the action of sodium hydroxide on benzaldehyde. This reaction is known as

• A. Perkin’s reaction
• B. Cannizzaro’s reaction
• C. Sandmeyer’s reaction
• D. Claisen condensation

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Cannizzaro’s reaction

Benzaldehyde on treatment with 50% aqueous or ethanolic alkali solution undergoes Cannizzaro’s reaction like HCHO (no $\alpha$ - hydrogen atom) i.e., one molecule is oxidised and one is reduced with the formation of benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol respectively.
$2C_6{H}_{5}CHO\stackrel{NaOH}{\to }{C}_6{H}_{5}C{H}_{2}OH+C_6{H}_{5}COONa$