Question

Identify the products in the following reaction.

Formaldehyde + Benzaldehyde

i) conc. NaOH → products. ii) H3O+

• A. Phenylmethanol and methanol
• B. Methanol and benzoic acid
• C. Methanoic acid and phenylmethanol
• D. Methanoic acid and benzoic acid

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

Methanol and benzoic acid

Answer 2

Under the given conditions (conc. NaOH followed by H₃O⁺), a Cannizzaro reaction occurs.

Both formaldehyde and benzaldehyde are non-enolizable aldehydes.

In a cross Cannizzaro reaction, the more electrophilic aldehyde (benzaldehyde) undergoes oxidation to form benzoic acid, while the less electrophilic aldehyde (formaldehyde) is reduced to form methanol.

Cannizzaro reaction of formaldehyde and benzaldehyde yields methanol (from formaldehyde via reduction) and benzoic acid (from benzaldehyde via oxidation).