Consider the following Cannizzaro reaction
`2Ph-CHOoverset(OH^(-))rarrPh-CH_(2)OH+PhCO_(2)^(-)`
In the above reaction, the slowest step of the reaction is
A. the transfer of hydride ion to the carbonyl grop
B. The deprotonation of `Ph-CH_(2)OH`
C. the attack of `OH^(-)` at the carbonyl group
D. the abstraction of proton fro the carboxylic acid