Cannizzaro reaction
Aldehydes and Ketones · Chemistry
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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!