Question

Benzaldehyde reacts with conc. NaOH to give:

• A. Benzyl alcohol
• B. Sodium benzoate
• C. Phenol
• D. Benzyl alcohol and sodium benzoate

Hint:

In a Cannizzaro reaction, aldehydes with no $\alpha$-hydrogen undergo disproportionation: one part is reduced, the other is oxidized.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

This is a classic example of the Cannizzaro reaction, which occurs when aldehydes without an alpha-hydrogen are treated with concentrated alkali (like NaOH). In this reaction:

• One molecule of benzaldehyde is reduced to benzyl alcohol.
• Another molecule is oxidized to sodium benzoate.

Hence, the products are both benzyl alcohol and sodium benzoate.