The aldehyde which react with `NaOH` to produce an alcohol and sodium salt is

Options

A. `HCHO`
B. `CH_(3)CHO`
C. `CH_(3)CH_(2)CHO`
D. `CH_(3)CH_(2)CH_(2)CHO`

Explanation

To solve the question regarding which aldehyde reacts with NaOH to produce an alcohol and sodium salt, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Reaction
The reaction described is known as the Canizzaro reaction. This reaction occurs when an aldehyde that lacks an alpha hydrogen atom reacts with a strong base (like NaOH).

### Step 2: Identify Aldehydes
Aldehydes are compounds with the general formula RCHO. In the context of the Canizzaro reaction, we are particularly interested in aldehydes that do not have alpha hydrogen atoms.

### Step 3: Recognize Aldehydes Without Alpha Hydrogen
Aldehydes that do not have alpha hydrogen atoms include:
- Formaldehyde (HCHO)
- Acetaldehyde (CH3CHO)
- Other higher aldehydes may or may not have alpha hydrogens.

### Step 4: Determine the Correct Aldehyde
Among the common aldehydes:
- **Formaldehyde (HCHO)** has no alpha hydrogen.
- **Acetaldehyde (CH3CHO)** has one alpha hydrogen.
- Higher aldehydes like propanal (C2H5CHO) and butanal (C3H7CHO) also have alpha hydrogens.

Thus, the only aldehyde that can undergo the Canizzaro reaction is **Formaldehyde (HCHO)**.

### Step 5: Write the Reaction
When formaldehyde reacts with NaOH, it undergoes a disproportionation reaction to form methanol (an alcohol) and sodium formate (the sodium salt).

### Conclusion
The aldehyde that reacts with NaOH to produce an alcohol and sodium salt is **Formaldehyde (HCHO)**.

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