Write a note on self oxidation-reduction reaction of aldehyde with suitable example.

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Solution

Self oxidation reduction reaction of aldehyde : Aldehydes which have no alpha $(α)$ hydrogen (e.g. formaldehyde, trimethylacetaldehyde, benzaldehyde etc.) undergo base induced disproportionation reaction to form equal amounts of corresponding alcohol and carboxylic acid. This reaction is known as cannizzaro reaction,
$2 C_{6} H_{5} C H O + K O H B e n z a l d e h y d e \to C_{6} H_{5} C H_{2} O H B e n z y l a l c o h o l + C_{6} H_{5} C O_{2} K^{+} P o t a s s i u m b e n z o a t e$
Here, one mole benzaldehyde reduced to benzyl alcohol and one mole benzaldehyde oxidised to potassium salt of benzoic acid.

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Similar questions

Give one example of an oxidation-reduction reaction which is also :

(a) a combination reaction

(b) a displacement reaction

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