Q. A mixture of benzaldehyde and formaldehyde on heating with aqueous $NaOH$ solution gives
A) Benzyl alcohol and sodium formate
B) Sodium benzoate and methyl alcohol
C) Sodium benzoate and sodium formate
D) Benzyl alcohol and methyl alcohol
Explanation
(a)
In Cannizaro reaction when formaldehyde reacts with other aldehydes lacking $\alpha$-hydrogen, it is always oxidized and other aldehyde is reduced
$HCHO + C_{6}H_{5}CHO\underset{\mathrm{\Delta}}{\overset{NaOH}{\rightarrow}}HCOO^{-}Na^{+} + C_{6}H_{5}CH_{2}OH$
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.