The products of the reaction of HCHO and PhCHO in presence of concentrated base are

Options

A. `HCH_2OH +PhCOO^(-)`
B. `HCOO^(-) + PhCH_2OH`
C. `PhCOOCH_3`
D. `HCOOCH_2Ph`

Answer

To solve the problem of identifying the products of the reaction between formaldehyde (HCHO) and benzaldehyde (PhCHO) in the presence of a concentrated base, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Reactants
The reactants in this reaction are:
- Formaldehyde (HCHO)
- Benzaldehyde (PhCHO)

### Step 2: Analyze the Reactivity
Both formaldehyde and benzaldehyde do not have alpha hydrogens. This means they cannot undergo aldol condensation. Instead, we will consider the Cross Cannizzaro reaction, which occurs in the presence of a strong base.

### Step 3: Understand the Cross Cannizzaro Reaction
In a Cross Cannizzaro reaction:
- One aldehyde is oxidized to a carboxylic acid, and the other is reduced to an alcohol.
- The more reactive aldehyde (in this case, formaldehyde) will be oxidized, while the less reactive aldehyde (benzaldehyde) will be reduced.

### Step 4: Determine the Products
1. **Oxidation of Formaldehyde (HCHO)**:
- Formaldehyde will be oxidized to formic acid (HCOOH).

2. **Reduction of Benzaldehyde (PhCHO)**:
- Benzaldehyde will be reduced to benzyl alcohol (PhCH2OH).

### Step 5: Write the Overall Reaction
The overall reaction can be summarized as:
- HCHO + PhCHO + OH⁻ → HCOOH + PhCH2OH

### Final Products
Thus, the products of the reaction are:
- Formic acid (HCOOH)
- Benzyl alcohol (PhCH2OH)