In Cannizzaro's reaction, Benzyl alcohol is obtained from?
Correct answer: A. Benzaldehyde
- A. Benzaldehyde
- B. Benzene
- C. Picric acid
- D. Benzyl chloride
Explanation
Option: A As an important synthetic chemical that is also widely produced across nature at modest levels, benzyl alcohol was prepared chemically in small amounts from benzaldehyde and potassium hydroxide via the Cannizzaro reaction. There is no alpha carbon present in the aldehyde. Option B : Benzene is not an aldehyde, so it cannot undergo the Cannizzaro reaction to give benzyl alcohol. However, if benzaldehyde is used as the starting material in the Cannizzaro reaction, it can be oxidized to benzoic acid and reduced to benzyl alcohol in the same reaction. Option C : Picric acid is not an aldehyde, so it cannot undergo the Cannizzaro reaction to give benzyl alcohol. Option D : Benzyl chloride is not an aldehyde, so it cannot undergo the Cannizzaro reaction to give benzyl alcohol. Benzyl chloride is an organic compound that contains a benzene ring and a chloride group (-Cl) attached to a methylene (-CH2-) group. It is an alkyl halide that is often used as a starting material for the synthesis of other organic compounds. The Cannizzaro reaction requires an aldehyde as the starting material, which has a carbonyl group (-CHO) that can be oxidized to a carboxylic acid and reduced to alcohol in the same reaction. Therefore, benzyl alcohol is not obtained from benzyl chloride in the Cannizzaro reaction, as benzyl chloride does not contain an aldehyde functional group.
Last updated
About Alcohols and Phenols
Alcohols are classified as primary, secondary or tertiary and studied through their hydrogen bonding, acidity, oxidation and reactions with active metals, acids and halogenating agents. Phenols require separate treatment because the hydroxyl group is attached to an aromatic ring, making their acidity and electrophilic substitution different from ordinary alcohols.
Practise Alcohols and Phenols
535 free Alcohols and Phenols MCQs from Chemistry, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Exams that ask Chemistry questions like this
Chemistry is on 12 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.