Cannizzaro Reaction

Rarely Tested

$$2\text{Ar-CHO} \xrightarrow{\text{Conc. NaOH / KOH}} \text{Ar-CH}_2\text{OH} + \text{Ar-COO}^-\text{Na}^+$$

Concept: A base-induced self-redox (disproportionation) pathway mandatory for aldehydes lacking any acidic protons. One molecule gets reduced to a primary alcohol, while the other is oxidized to a carboxylic acid salt.

Notation:

  • $$\text{Conc. NaOH}$$ = High concentration hydroxide base acting as a strong nucleophile.
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