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View Full Version : Cannizzaro reaction or Haloform reaction?


adianadiadi
Jul 31, 2012, 09:53 PM
Aldehydes without alpha hydrogens undergo Cannizzaro reaction in strongly alkaline conditions. However trihaloaldehydes undergo haloform reaction under the same conditions. I wonder what might be the reason?

Unknown008
Aug 1, 2012, 03:08 AM
Can you say what does the alkali do in this reaction?

DrBob1
Aug 1, 2012, 09:15 AM
Aldehydes without alpha hydrogens undergo Cannizzaro reaction in strongly alkaline conditions. However trihaloaldehydes undergo haloform reaction under the same conditions. I wonder what might be the reason?

The trihalo substituent is a good leaving group and dominates further reactions progress.