Reaction between benzaldehyde and acetophenone in presence of dilute NaOH is known as:

Options

A. Aldol condensation
B. Cannizzaro's reaction
C. Cross Cannizzaro's reaction
D. Cross Aldol condensation

Answer

To determine the type of reaction that occurs between benzaldehyde and acetophenone in the presence of dilute NaOH, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reactants**:
- Benzaldehyde (C6H5CHO) is an aldehyde.
- Acetophenone (C6H5COCH3) is a ketone.

2. **Understand the Reaction Conditions**:
- The reaction occurs in the presence of dilute NaOH, which is a basic medium. This indicates that we are likely dealing with a reaction that involves deprotonation and nucleophilic attack.

3. **Determine the Presence of Alpha Hydrogens**:
- Aldol reactions require at least one alpha hydrogen on the carbon adjacent to the carbonyl group.
- Benzaldehyde has no alpha hydrogens (the carbon adjacent to the carbonyl is part of the aromatic ring).
- Acetophenone has three alpha hydrogens (the methyl group adjacent to the carbonyl group).

4. **Identify the Type of Reaction**:
- Since benzaldehyde lacks alpha hydrogens, it cannot undergo aldol condensation by itself. However, acetophenone can undergo aldol condensation due to the presence of alpha hydrogens.
- When benzaldehyde and acetophenone react together, they undergo a cross aldol condensation reaction.

5. **Conclusion**:
- The reaction between benzaldehyde and acetophenone in the presence of dilute NaOH is known as **cross aldol condensation**.