MHT CET 2025 Chemistry question

Identify the product of following reaction.

Formaldehyde + Benzaldehyde product

(A)Phenyl methanol and methanol
(B)Methanol and benzoic acid
(C)Methanoic acid and phenyl methanolCorrect
(D)Methanoic acid and benzoic acid

Answer: (C)

Solution

Both aldehydes lack -hydrogens, so with concentrated NaOH they undergo the crossed Cannizzaro reaction. Hydroxide adds to the more electrophilic, less hindered aldehyde, formaldehyde, which then transfers a hydride to benzaldehyde. Formaldehyde is therefore oxidised to sodium

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Question ID VK-100725