Benzaldehyde ( $31.8 g$ , molar mass $106 g mo l^{- 1}$ ) is converted entirely by concentrated NaOH into phenylmethanol and sodium benzoate (Cannizzaro reaction). Phenylmethanol has molar mass $108 g mo l^{- 1}$ . If the isolated yield of phenylmethanol is $60%$ , what mass of phenylmethanol is obtained? Give the answer in grams to two decimal places.

Numerical answer type, answer in g, tolerance 0.05.

Answer: 9.72 g

Cannizzaro stoichiometry is

2 C X_{6} H X_{5} CHO \to C X_{6} H X_{5} CH X_{2} OH + C X_{6} H X_{5} COO X^{-}

. Moles of aldehyde

= 31.8/106 = 0.30

, so theoretical alcohol

= 0.150

mol, i.e.

16.20 g

. At

60%

yield the mass is

9.72 g