Tishchenko reaction

The reaction is named after Russian organic chemist Vyacheslav Tishchenko, who discovered that aluminium alkoxides are effective catalysts for the reaction.

[1][2] [3] In the related Cannizzaro reaction, the base is sodium hydroxide and then the oxidation product is a carboxylic acid and the reduction product is an alcohol.

The reaction involving benzaldehyde was discovered by Claisen using sodium benzylate as base.

[4] Enolizable aldehydes are not amenable to Claisen's conditions.

Vyacheslav Tishchenko discovered that aluminium alkoxides allowed the conversion of enolizable aldehydes to esters.

The Tishchenko reaction: benzaldehyde reacts to benzyl benzoate, the catalyst is sodium benzylate.
The Tishchenko reaction: benzaldehyde reacts to benzyl benzoate, the catalyst is sodium benzylate.