Question

Which of the following compounds would undergo aldol condensation, which the Cannizzaro reaction and which neither? Write the structures of the expected products of aldol condensation and Cannizzaro reaction:
i. Methanal ii. 2-Methylpentanal
iii. Benzaldehyde iv. Benzophenone
v. Cyclohexanone vi. 1-Phenylpropanone
vii. Phenylacetaldehyde viii. Butan-1-ol
ix. 2,2-Dimethylbutanal

Answer 1

	Compound	Reaction	Product
i.	HCHO Methanal	Cannizzaro	H3C - OH + HCOO-Na+                                                                              Methanol Sodium formate
ii.		Aldol            condensation
iii		Cannizzaro
iv	PhCOPh Benzophenone	Neither	-
v		Aldol condensation
vi	Ph - CH2COCH3 1-Phenyl propanone	Aldol condensation
vii	Ph - CH2CHO Phenyl acetaldehyde	Aldol condensation
viii	CH3CH2CH2CH2OH Butan-1-ol	Neither	-
ix		Cannizzaro reaction