In the presence of a dilute base `C_6H_5CHO` and `CH_3CHO` react together to give a product. The product is

Options

A. `C_6H_5CH_3`
B. `C_6H_5CH_2CH_2OH`
C. `C_6H_5CH_2OH`
D. `C_6H_5CH = CHCHO`

Explanation

To solve the problem of what product is formed when benzaldehyde (C₆H₅CHO) and acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO) react in the presence of a dilute base, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Identify the Reactants
The reactants are benzaldehyde (C₆H₅CHO) and acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO). Benzaldehyde is an aromatic aldehyde, while acetaldehyde is an aliphatic aldehyde.

**Hint:** Remember that the structure of the aldehydes is crucial for understanding the reaction mechanism.

### Step 2: Understand the Reaction Type
The reaction between two aldehydes in the presence of a dilute base typically leads to an aldol condensation reaction. In this reaction, one aldehyde acts as a nucleophile and the other as an electrophile.

**Hint:** Aldol condensation involves the formation of a β-hydroxy aldehyde or ketone as an intermediate.

### Step 3: Formation of the Enolate Ion
In the presence of the dilute base (e.g., NaOH), acetaldehyde can lose a proton (H⁺) to form an enolate ion. The enolate ion is a nucleophile that can attack the carbonyl carbon of benzaldehyde.

**Hint:** Look for the formation of the enolate ion, as it is a key step in aldol reactions.

### Step 4: Nucleophilic Attack
The enolate ion formed from acetaldehyde attacks the carbonyl carbon of benzaldehyde. This results in the formation of a β-hydroxy aldehyde.

The reaction can be summarized as follows:
\[ \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{CHO} + \text{CH}_3\text{CHO} \rightarrow \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{CH(OH)CH}_2\text{CHO} \]

**Hint:** Keep track of the functional groups formed during the reaction.

### Step 5: Dehydration
The β-hydroxy aldehyde can undergo dehydration (loss of water) when heated, leading to the formation of an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde.

The dehydration step can be represented as:
\[ \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{CH(OH)CH}_2\text{CHO} \xrightarrow{\text{heat}} \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{CH=CHCHO} + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

**Hint:** Dehydration is a common step in aldol condensation reactions, resulting in the formation of double bonds.

### Step 6: Final Product
The final product of the reaction is cinnamaldehyde (C₆H₅CH=CHCHO), which is an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde.

**Hint:** Identify the final product by checking the structure and confirming it matches the expected outcome of the aldol condensation.

### Conclusion
The product formed when benzaldehyde (C₆H₅CHO) and acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO) react in the presence of a dilute base is cinnamaldehyde (C₆H₅CH=CHCHO).