1) The Cannizaro reaction involves the disproportionation of benzaldehyde to benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol in the presence of sodium hydroxide without the use of solvents. 2) Benzaldehyde and sodium hydroxide were ground together for 30 minutes, then water was added and acidified with hydrochloric acid to precipitate benzoic acid. 3) The filtrate was extracted with ethyl acetate and evaporated to obtain benzyl alcohol, completing the Cannizaro reaction of benzaldehyde to its corresponding carboxylic acid and alcohol products.