Question

Mixture of $Ph-CHO$ & $HCHO$ is treated with $NaOH$ then Cannizzaro reaction involves:

• A. Oxidation of HCHO
• B. Reduction of Ph-CHO
• C. Both (a) and (b)
• D. Reduction of HCHO

Answer 1

The correct option is C Both (a) and (b)

Cannizzaro reaction is a chemical reaction named after Stanislao Cannizzaro that involves the base-induced disproportionation of two molecules of a non-enolizable aldehyde to yield a carboxylic acid and a primary alcohol. If we have 2 different aldehydes in the Cannizzaro reaction​, it is known as Cross-Cannizzaro reaction​.

Compound which is more reactive towards nucleophilic addition reaction, undergoes oxidation and other one undergoes reduction.

In the Cross-Cannizzaro reaction of benzaldehyde and formaldehyde, benzaldehyde is reduced to benzyl alcohols as this is less reactive than formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is oxidised to formic acid.