Concept:
The Perkin reaction is a condensation reaction between an aromatic aldehyde and an acid anhydride (containing at least two \(\alpha\)-hydrogen atoms) in the presence of a sodium salt of the corresponding acid (e.g., sodium acetate). It produces an \(\alpha,\beta\)-unsaturated aromatic acid.
Step 1: General reaction.
\[
\text{ArCHO} + (RCH_2CO)_2O \xrightarrow{RCH_2COONa} \text{ArCH}=C(R)COOH + RCH_2COOH
\]
Typically, benzaldehyde (\(C_6H_5CHO\)) reacts with acetic anhydride (\((CH_3CO)_2O\)) in the presence of sodium acetate to form cinnamic acid (\(C_6H_5CH=CHCOOH\)) and acetic acid.
Step 2: Product identification.
The product is an \(\alpha,\beta\)-unsaturated aromatic carboxylic acid. In the classic Perkin reaction:
\[
C_6H_5CHO + (CH_3CO)_2O \xrightarrow{CH_3COONa} C_6H_5CH=CHCOOH
\]
\[
\text{Benzaldehyde} + \text{Acetic anhydride} \rightarrow \text{Cinnamic acid}
\]
Step 3: Why not other options?
• (A) Resorcinol — is a dihydroxybenzene (\(C_6H_4(OH)_2\)), formed by other reactions (e.g., fusion of benzene disulfonic acid with alkali), not by Perkin reaction.
• (B) Cinnamic acid — correct product of Perkin reaction.
• (C) Benzaldehyde — is a starting material (reactant), not a product.
• (D) Benzoin — is formed by benzoin condensation (two molecules of benzaldehyde with cyanide catalyst), not by Perkin reaction.