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 alcohol
• C. sodium benzoate and sodium formate
• D. benzyl alcohol and methyl alcohol

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

benzyl alcohol and sodium formate

Answer 2

Benzaldyde and formaldehyde, both do not have a - hydrogen atom, so both will undergo Cannizzaro reaction; here formaldehyde will always be oxidised to formate while the other aldehyde ( $C_{6} H_{5} CHO$ or any other aldehyde not having $\alpha-H$, viz- $Me_{3}CCHO$) will always be reduced to corresponding alcohol (crossed Cannizzaro reaction)