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-Methylpentanar
(iii) Benzaldehyde
(iv) Benzophenone
(v) Cyclohexanone
(vi) l-Phenylpropanone
(vii) Phenylacetaldehyde
(viii) Butan-l-ol
(ix) 2,2-Dimethylbutanal

Answer 1

Thus ii, v, vii will undergo aldol condensation. Aldehydes i, iii, ix will undergo cannizzaro reaction. Ketones with no ∝ hydrogen iv. and vii, will undergo neither.

(iv) Benzophenone undergoes neither aldol condensation nor Cannizzaro reaction.