Question:

Aldehyde not showing Cannizzaro’s reaction is:

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The Cannizzaro reaction occurs only with aldehydes lacking an alpha-hydrogen.
Updated On: Apr 22, 2026
  • Paraldehyde
  • Chloral
  • Formaldehyde
  • Acetaldehyde
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Identifying the Cannizzaro reaction.
The Cannizzaro reaction is a base-catalyzed disproportionation of non-enolizable aldehydes (those lacking an alpha-hydrogen). It produces one molecule of alcohol and one molecule of carboxylic acid.

Step 2: Explanation of the options.

- (1) Paraldehyde: Paraldehyde does undergo Cannizzaro's reaction because it is a non-enolizable aldehyde.
- (2) Chloral: Chloral also undergoes Cannizzaro’s reaction.
- (3) Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde can undergo Cannizzaro’s reaction because it lacks an alpha-hydrogen.
- (4) Acetaldehyde: Acetaldehyde has an alpha-hydrogen and thus cannot undergo Cannizzaro’s reaction.

Step 3: Conclusion.

The correct answer is (4) Acetaldehyde.
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