Question

Benzaldehyde is converted to benzyl alcohol by

• A. Wurtz reaction
• B. Fittig reaction
• C. Wurtz Fittig reaction
• D. Cannizzaro's reaction

Hint:

Benzaldehyde has no alpha hydrogen, so with concentrated alkali it undergoes disproportionation.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Clue
The change is CHO to $\text{CH}_{2}\text{OH}$, a reduction of an aldehyde with no alpha hydrogen.

Step 2: Eliminate
The three sodium coupling reactions need halides, so only Cannizzaro's reaction fits.

Step 3: Final check
The other product of the reaction is sodium benzoate, which confirms a disproportionation, i.e. Cannizzaro's reaction.

Final Answer:
Option (D), Cannizzaro's reaction, is correct. \[ \boxed{\text{(D) }\text{Cannizzaro's reaction}} \]