In connection with benzaldehyde which of the following statement is incorrect –

Options

A. –CHO group of benzaldehyde is meta directing
B. Benzaldehyde undergoes Claisen condensation
C. Benzaldehyde on oxidation gives phenyl acetic acid
D. Benzaldehyde on reduction gives benzyl alcohol

Answer

To determine which statement about benzaldehyde is incorrect, we will analyze each option step by step.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Benzaldehyde Structure**:
- Benzaldehyde is composed of a benzene ring with a formyl group (CHO) attached to it.
- The structure can be represented as:
```
C6H5-CHO
```

2. **Analyzing the First Statement**:
- The first statement claims that the CHO group present in benzaldehyde is meta-directing.
- **Explanation**: The CHO group is an electron-withdrawing group due to the presence of a carbonyl (C=O) bond. Electron-withdrawing groups typically direct electrophilic substitution reactions to the meta position on the benzene ring.
- **Conclusion**: This statement is **correct**.

3. **Analyzing the Second Statement**:
- The second statement mentions that benzaldehyde undergoes Claisen Condensation.
- **Explanation**: Claisen condensation typically occurs between two esters or an ester and a carbonyl compound. Benzaldehyde, being an aldehyde, does not participate in Claisen condensation reactions.
- **Conclusion**: This statement is **incorrect**.

4. **Analyzing the Third Statement**:
- The third statement states that benzaldehyde on oxidation gives phenylacetic acid.
- **Explanation**: When benzaldehyde is oxidized, it forms benzoic acid (C6H5COOH), not phenylacetic acid (C6H5CH2COOH).
- **Conclusion**: This statement is also **incorrect**.

5. **Analyzing the Fourth Statement**:
- The fourth statement claims that the reduction of benzaldehyde yields benzyl alcohol.
- **Explanation**: When benzaldehyde is reduced, it indeed forms benzyl alcohol (C6H5CH2OH).
- **Conclusion**: This statement is **correct**.

### Final Conclusion:
The incorrect statement about benzaldehyde is the second one, which claims that benzaldehyde undergoes Claisen condensation.

### Summary of Incorrect Statements:
- **Second Statement**: Benzaldehyde undergoes Claisen condensation (Incorrect).
- **Third Statement**: Benzaldehyde on oxidation gives phenylacetic acid (Incorrect).