Question

Write short note on Canizzaro reaction.

Answer 1

Reaction of formaldehyde and other aldehyde which do not contain alpha hydrogen, with concentrated alkali solution is called canizzaro reaction. One aldehyde molecule gives sodium salt of acid and other gives alcohol.
$\underset{Formaldehyde}{2HCHO+NaOH}\to \underset{sodiumformate}{HCOONa}+\underset{Methylalcohol}{C{H}_{3}OH}$