Question

Which of the following is formed, when benzaldehyde reacts with alcoholic $KCN$ ?

• A. Benzoin
• B. Benzyl alcohol
• C. Benzoin acid
• D. Ethyl benzoate.

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Benzoin

Answer 2

$\underset{\text{Benzaldehyde}}{2 C _{6} H _{5} CHO} {->[{\text { alc. } KCN}]} \underset{\text{Benzoin}}{C _{6} H _{5} CH ( OH ) COC _{6} H _{5}}$ Thus in this reaction benzoin is formed. The reaction is known as benzoin condensation.