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Grade 12Organic Chemistry

why does (CH3)2CHCHO gives cannizarros rxn despite having an alpha hydrogen?

Profile image of Aushim parmar
8 Years agoGrade 12
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1 Answer

Profile image of saboo
8 Years ago
To undergo complete aldol reaction (i.e. to give \alpha , \beta unsaturated aldehyde) at least two hydrogens are required. So, the compound in the question undergoes aldol which is reversible but failts to go through irreversible dehydration step and thus on increasing the concentration of base, it can undergo the alternative cannizzaro reaction to give irreversible products.