Question

(a) In a practical class a group of students heated ethanal with NaOH. Another group heated methanal with conc.NaOH.

(i) Identify the products in each reaction with equation. 

(ii) Name the reactions. 

(b) Aldehydes are more reactive than ketones. Comment on the statement.

Answer 1

(a)

(ii) The first reaction is Cannizarro reaction and the second reaction is aldol condensation.

(b) Due to the ‘+l’ effect and steric hindrance of surrounding alkyl group ketones are less reactive than aldehydes.