Cannizzaro reaction
Aldehydes and Ketones · Chemistry
Study notes
Why does CH₃CHO NOT undergo Cannizzaro with conc. KOH? Step 1: CH₃CHO has α-hydrogens. Step 2: With base, enolate formation → aldol condensation is far faster. Step 3: Cannizzaro needs hydride transfer to compete — it can't. Step 4: Only α-H-free aldehydes (PhCHO, HCHO) do Cannizzaro. α-H decides the pathway!