Question

One of the following named reaction is an example of disproportionation reaction. Identify it.

• A. Birch reduction
• B. Aldol condensation
• C. Reimer-Tiemann reaction
• D. Cannizaro reaction

Answer 1

The correct option is D Cannizaro reaction

Cannizaro reaction is an example of disproportionation reaction.

In presence of concentrated solution of aqueous or alcoholic alkali, aldehdyes which do not have alpha H atom, undergo self oxidation and reduction (disproportionation) to give a mixture of alcohol and a salt of carboxylic acid.

$2PhCHO\stackrel{NaOH}{\to }PhC{H}_2-OH+PhCO{O}^{-}N{a}^{+}$

Option D is correct.