Identify the product of following reaction. Formaldehyde + Benzaldehyde conc. NaOH H ₃ O ⁺ prodcut

Step-by-step solution

Crossed Cannizzaro reaction between formaldehyde and benzaldehyde: Both aldehydes lack -hydrogens, making them suitable for disproportionation under concentrated NaOH. Formaldehyde is preferentially oxidized due to its higher reactivity and lower steric hindrance. HCHO oxidizes to formic acid ( HCOOH ), which becomes sodium formate ( HCOONa ) in basic conditions and yields methanoic acid upon acidification. Benzaldehyde reduces to phenyl methanol ( C ₆ H ₅ CH ₂ OH ). The products are methanoic acid and phenyl metha