Science, Tech, Math › Science Crossed Cannizzaro Reaction Share Flipboard Email Print Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Facebook Twitter Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on November 05, 2019 Crossed Cannizzaro Reaction This is the crossed Cannizzaro reaction. Todd Helmenstine The crossed Cannizzaro reaction is a variant of the Cannizzaro reaction where formaldehyde is a reducing agent. About the Cannizzaro Reaction The Cannizzaro reaction is named for its discovered, Italian chemist Stanislao Cannizzaro. In the reaction, two molecules of aldehyde react to yield a carboxylic acid and a primary alcohol. Source Cannizzaro, S. (1853). "Ueber den der Benzoësäure entsprechenden Alkohol" [On the alcohol corresponding to benzoic acid]. Liebigs Annalen der Chemie und Pharmacie. 88: 129–130. doi:10.1002/jlac.18530880114 Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Crossed Cannizzaro Reaction." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/illustrated-crossed-cannizzaro-reaction-608569. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 27). Crossed Cannizzaro Reaction. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/illustrated-crossed-cannizzaro-reaction-608569 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Crossed Cannizzaro Reaction." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/illustrated-crossed-cannizzaro-reaction-608569 (accessed March 28, 2023). copy citation