Question

Which product is obtained on reduction of methanal in presence of concentrated $ NaOH $ ?
A. Formic acid and methyl alcohol
B. $ CO + {H_2} $
C. Methyl alcohol
D. Formic acid

Answer 1

Hint: Begin by writing the methanal structure. In the presence of a palladium catalyst, write the reaction that occurs when methane is treated with hydrogen gas. Select the correct answer after identifying the product formed in the reaction.

Complete answer:
The reactant that is undergoing a reduction reaction is methanal. The simplest aldehyde is methanal. Formaldehyde is another name for it.
On reduction of methanal in presence of concentrated $ NaOH $ , we get formic acid and methyl alcohol.
 $ HCHO\xrightarrow{{conc.NaOH}}HCOOH + C{H_3}OH $
Cannizzaro’s reaction is the name given to this reaction. The Cannizzaro reaction is a redox reaction in which a hydroxide base is used to react two molecules of an aldehyde to form primary alcohol and a carboxylic acid.
One aldehyde is oxidised to produce a carboxylic acid, while the other aldehyde is reduced to produce alcohol in this process. The hydride transfer is classified as a redox reaction since it involves both oxidation and reduction.
The Cannizzaro reaction can be used to alter a non-enolizable aldehyde's disproportionation. To boost the yield of the valuable chemical, the cross Cannizzaro reaction is used.
Hence, the correct option is A. Formic acid and methyl alcohol.

Note:
Methanal is the most basic aldehyde, with only one carbon atom, the carbonyl carbon atom. Aldehydes are easily reduced to generate primary alcohols, while ketones are reduced to form secondary alcohols. When aldehydes and ketones are oxidised, they produce carboxylic acid, which has fewer carbon atoms.