JEE Main Chemistry question

A mixture of benzaldehyde and formaldehyde on heating with aqueous NaOH solution gives

(A)Benzyl alcohol and sodium formate
(B)Sodium benzoate and methyl alcoholCorrect
(C)Sodium benzoate and sodium formate
(D)Benzyl alcohol and methyl alcohol

Answer: (B)

Solution

Both benzaldehyde and formaldehyde lack α-hydrogens, so together they undergo a crossed Cannizzaro reaction. Formaldehyde, being more electrophilic (smaller, less hindered carbonyl) and thus the better hydride acceptor, is reduced to methanol while benzaldehyde is oxidized to benzoate —

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Question ID VK-149384