Aldehydes which do not have alpha hydrogen undergo self oxidation and reduction (i.e. disproportionation reaction) on heating with concentrated NaOH. In this reaction, one molecule of the aldehyde is converted into alcohol and one is oxidized to one of the carboxylic acid's salt.
What is Alpha Hydrogen?
You might be thinking about the same lets burst your confusion.
What is Alpha Hydrogen?
You might be thinking about the same lets burst your confusion.
The aldehydes which do not have alpha hydrogen i.e HCHO( Methanal ) under go Cannizzaro Reaction.
Cannizzaro Reaction for Methanal
Now can you guess one of the aromatic aldehyde which is most likely to under go this reaction, If you were thinking Benzaldehyde then you are absolutely correct.
Benzaldehyde after reacting with concentrated NaOH will result in Benzyl alcohol and Sodium Benzoate.
2Ar-CHO + Conc. NaOH + Heat --------------------------> Ar-CH2OH + Ar-COONa
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