Q. Predict the products in the given reaction: m-Chlorobenzaldehyde (m-Cl–C₆H₄–CHO) —(50% KOH)→ ?
A) m-HO–C₆H₄–CH₂OH + m-HO–C₆H₄–COO⁻
B) m-Cl–C₆H₄–CH₂OH + m-Cl–C₆H₄–CH₂COO⁻
C) m-HO–C₆H₄–CH₂OH + m-HO–C₆H₄–OH
D) m-Cl–C₆H₄–CH₂OH + m-Cl–C₆H₄–COO⁻
Explanation
[Solution from source] m-Chlorobenzaldehyde has no α-hydrogen, so with concentrated (50%) KOH it undergoes the Cannizzaro reaction: one molecule is reduced to m-chlorobenzyl alcohol and another oxidised to m-chlorobenzoate. The aryl C–Cl bond is not hydrolysed under these conditions, so products with –OH replacing Cl are wrong. Answer (4).
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.