



Solution: Treatment of m-chlorobenzaldehyde with 50% KOH solution initiates the Cannizzaro reaction, a process applicable to aldehydes lacking alpha hydrogens.
Cannizzaro Reaction: This reaction converts an aldehyde into a carboxylic acid and an alcohol when subjected to a strong base, such as KOH. The mechanism involves aldehyde disproportionation, yielding the corresponding carboxylate and alcohol.
Reaction Process: The reaction involving m-chlorobenzaldehyde is represented as:
2 m-chlorobenzaldehyde + 50% KOH → m-chlorobenzoate + m-chlorobenzyl alcohol.
Final Products: The reaction yields m-chlorobenzoate ion and m-chlorobenzyl alcohol.
Consequently, the products are chlorobenzoate and m-chlorobenzyl alcohol.