Identify the products A and B in the following reaction:

Step-by-step solution

The given reaction is a crossed Cannizzaro reaction between formaldehyde ( HCHO ) and p -tolualdehyde ( p - CH₃-C₆H₄-CHO ), as both aldehydes lack -hydrogens and are treated with a concentrated base ( 50 % NaOH ). In a crossed Cannizzaro reaction involving formaldehyde and another aldehyde, formaldehyde is more reactive towards nucleophilic attack by the hydroxide ion ( OH^- ) due to the absence of steric hindrance and greater electrophilicity of its carbonyl carbon. The OH^- ion attacks formaldehyde to form a tetr