Question

Consider the following reaction:

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\ce{H}\phantom{.......}\ce{H}\phantom{..................................}\\
\backslash\phantom{........}\backslash\phantom{...............................}\\
\ce{C = O} + \ce{C = O} + \ce{Conc. KOH ->[\Delta] A +B}\\
/\phantom{........}/\phantom{...............................}\\
\ce{H}\phantom{.......}\ce{H}\phantom{..................................}\\
\end{array}\]

Identify A and B from the given options:

पर्याय

• A - Methanol, B - Potassium formate

• A - Ethanol, B - Potassium formate

• A - Methanal, B - Ethanol

• A - Methanol, B - Potassium acetate

Answer 1

A - Methanol, B - Potassium formate

Explanation:

This is Cannizaro reaction in which an aldehyde not containing alpha hydrogen undergoes self oxidation and self reduction in presence of concentrated alkali \[\ce{NaOH}\] or \[\ce{KOH}\].

So the reaction is:

\[\ce{2HCHO + KOH -> CH3OH + HCOOK}\]