Benzyl alcohol and sodium benzoate is obtained by the action of sodium hydroxide on benzaldehyde. This reaction is known as

Options

A. Perkin reaction
B. Cannizzaro reaction
C. Sandmeyer reaction
D. Claisen condensation

Answer

To solve the question regarding the reaction of benzaldehyde with sodium hydroxide to yield benzyl alcohol and sodium benzoate, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Reactants
The reactants in this reaction are benzaldehyde (C₆H₅CHO) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

**Hint:** Look for the functional groups in the reactants to understand their reactivity.

### Step 2: Understand the Reaction Type
Benzaldehyde does not have any alpha hydrogen atoms. In the presence of a strong base like sodium hydroxide, it undergoes a specific type of reaction known as the Cannizzaro reaction.

**Hint:** Recall that the Cannizzaro reaction occurs with aldehydes that lack alpha hydrogens.

### Step 3: Mechanism of the Cannizzaro Reaction
In the Cannizzaro reaction, one molecule of benzaldehyde is oxidized to form sodium benzoate, while another molecule is reduced to form benzyl alcohol. The mechanism involves:
1. The nucleophilic attack of hydroxide ion (from NaOH) on the carbonyl carbon of benzaldehyde.
2. This leads to the formation of a tetrahedral intermediate.
3. The intermediate collapses, resulting in the formation of benzyl alcohol and the benzoate ion.

**Hint:** Consider how the tetrahedral intermediate rearranges and what products are formed.

### Step 4: Final Products
The products of this reaction are benzyl alcohol (C₆H₅CH₂OH) and sodium benzoate (C₆H₅COONa).

**Hint:** Check the structure of the products to ensure they match the expected outcome of the reaction.

### Step 5: Conclusion
The reaction of benzaldehyde with sodium hydroxide yielding benzyl alcohol and sodium benzoate is classified as the Cannizzaro reaction.

**Hint:** Remember the name of the reaction and its significance in organic chemistry.

### Final Answer
The reaction is known as the **Cannizzaro reaction**.