Aromatic Aldehydes Ketones and Acids - Result Question 4
####5. Major products of the following reaction are
(2019 Main, 10 April I)
(a) $CH _3 OH$ and $HCO _2 H$
(b) $CH _3 OH$ and
(c) $HCOOH$ and
(d)
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Answer:
Correct Answer: 5. (c)
Solution:
- The given reaction is a crossed Cannizzaro reaction which is a redox reaction too. Oxidation number of carbon atom of the $-CHO$ groups of $Ph-CHO$ and $H-CHO$ are +1 and zero respectively. So, $HCHO$ is the stronger reducing agent than $PhCHO$. As a result, $HCHO$ is oxidised to $HCOONa$ (by donation of hydride, $\left.H^{-}\right)$and $PhCHO\left(H^{-}\right.$acceptor $)$is reduced to $PhCH _2 OH$.
The reaction proceed via following mechanism.
