Question

What happens when Formaldehyde Reacts with conc NaOH.

Answer 1

Hint :Cannizzaro Reaction occurs in Aldehydes when they react with a strong base like $ NaOH $ .It is named after its scientist. It is an example of a disproportionation reaction that results in formation of Alcohol and a salt of carboxylic acid. Thus we see that the oxidation and reduction reaction occurs simultaneously (Redox reaction).It occurs in Aldehyde with no alpha hydrogen.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Formaldehyde is a colorless chemical compound which contains hydrogen, oxygen and carbon atoms. It is produced by all cell types during the process of Metabolism. It is a poisonous gas and is easily soluble in water. It is produced by oxidation of Methanol. Formaldehyde has huge Applications in household and commerce. It is used in preservatives, Manufacture of materials like plastics, fabrics, furniture, disinfectant and many other purposes. However long term ingestion of formaldehyde is highly dangerous and can result in respiratory disorders like asthma, cancers, Irritation in eyes, nose, throat etc.
In the question we are given the reaction of Formaldehyde in presence of NaOH. This reaction occurs in the following way-
 $ 2HCHO + NaOH \to HCOONa + C{H_3}OH $
In this reaction 2 molecules of Formaldehyde react with sodium hydroxide and there is formation of Methanol and Sodium formate.This reaction occurs in formaldehyde since it does not contain any $ \alpha $ - hydrogen.

Additional Information:
Cannizzaro reaction also occurs in case of Benzaldehyde, trimethyl Acetaldehyde etc. all of the aldehydes that do not contain any alpha hydrogen.

Note :
In Aldehydes that contain alpha hydrogen like Acetaldehyde we observe another reaction named as Aldol Condensation which can be either acid or base catalysed. In these reactions we obtain $ \beta $ -hydroxy aldehyde or ketone. It is an example of coupling reaction and highly useful in organic synthesis.