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Chemistry Question on Redox Reactions

Formaldehyde undergoes Cannizzaro reaction because
(A) It has alpha-hydrogen atom.
(B) It does not have alpha-hydrogen atom.
(C) It does not undergo self-oxidation and reduction on heating with concentrated alkali.
(D) It undergoes self-oxidation and reduction on heating with concentrated alkali.

A

(A) It has alpha-hydrogen atom

B

(B) It does not have alpha-hydrogen atom

C

(C) It does not undergo self-oxidation and reduction on heating with concentrated alkali

D

(D) It undergoes self-oxidation and reduction on heating with concentrated alkali

Answer

(A) It has alpha-hydrogen atom

Explanation

Solution

The Cannizzaro reaction is a redox reaction that occurs with aldehydes lacking an alpha-hydrogen. In this reaction, one molecule of the aldehyde gets oxidized to a carboxylate, while another gets reduced to an alcohol. Formaldehyde does not have an alpha-hydrogen, which makes it undergo this reaction.