Question

True/False: Benzaldehyde cannot undergo Cannizzaro reaction.

Hint:

All aldehydes lacking \(\alpha\)-hydrogen (e.g., formaldehyde, benzaldehyde) undergo Cannizzaro reaction.

Answer 1

Step 1: Cannizzaro reaction is shown by aldehydes which do not have \(\alpha\)-hydrogen atoms.
Step 2: Benzaldehyde (\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{CHO}\)) does not contain any \(\alpha\)-hydrogen.
Step 3: Therefore, benzaldehyde undergoes Cannizzaro reaction in the presence of a strong base, forming benzyl alcohol and benzoate ion.
Step 4: Hence, the given statement is false.