Aromatic aldehydes undero disproportionation in presence of sodium or potassium hydroxide to give corresponding alcohol and acid. The reaction is known as `:`

Options

A. Wurtz's reaction
B. Cannizzaro reaction
C. Friedel-Craft's reaction
D. Claisen reaction

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Reaction**: Aromatic aldehydes can undergo a reaction called disproportionation when treated with strong bases like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or potassium hydroxide (KOH). In this reaction, one molecule of the aldehyde is oxidized to form a carboxylic acid, while another molecule is reduced to form an alcohol.

2. **Identifying the Aldehyde**: For example, let's consider benzaldehyde (C6H5CHO), which is a common aromatic aldehyde.

3. **Reaction with Base**: When benzaldehyde is treated with NaOH or KOH, it undergoes disproportionation. The reaction can be represented as follows:
- One molecule of benzaldehyde is oxidized to benzoic acid (C6H5COOH).
- Another molecule of benzaldehyde is reduced to benzyl alcohol (C6H5CH2OH).

4. **Absence of Alpha Hydrogen**: It is important to note that benzaldehyde does not have any alpha hydrogen atoms (hydrogens on the carbon adjacent to the carbonyl carbon). This characteristic is crucial for the reaction to proceed via the Canizzaro reaction.

5. **Naming the Reaction**: The specific reaction where aromatic aldehydes undergo disproportionation in the presence of a strong base is known as the **Canizzaro Reaction**.

**Final Answer**: The reaction is known as the **Canizzaro Reaction**.

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