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EEJ MAIN Chemistry QUESTION #5575
Question 1
In Cannizzaro's reaction of trichloroacetaldehyde ($CCl_3CHO$) with NaOH, one product is sodium trichloroacetate. What is the other product?
  • Trichloromethanol
  • 2,2,2-Trichloropropanol
  • Chloroform
  • 2,2,2-Trichloroethanol✔️
Correct Answer Explanation
Cannizzaro reaction involves disproportionation of a non-enolizable aldehyde. $2CCl_3CHO + NaOH \to CCl_3COO^-Na^+\ (\text{sodium trichloroacetate}) + CCl_3CH_2OH\ (2{,}2{,}2\text{-trichloroethanol})$. One molecule is oxidized to the acid salt and the other is reduced to the alcohol.