It is used chiefly in the synthesis of other organic compounds, ranging from pharmaceuticals to plastic additives and benzaldehyde is an important intermediate for the processing of perfume and flavouring compounds and in the preparation of certain aniline dyes . It is the first step in the synthesis for fragrances. It undergoes simultaneous oxidation and reduction with alcoholic potassium hydroxide, giving potassium benzoate and benzyl alcohol. It is converted to benzoin with alcoholic potassium cyanide, with anhydrous sodium acetate and acetic anhydride, giving cinnamic acid. Compounds which do not have alpha-hydrogen atoms cannot form an enolate ion and do not undergo electrophilic alpha-substitution and aldol condensation. Aromatic aldehydes such as benzaldehyde and formaldehyde may undergo disproportionation in concentrated alkali (Cannizaro's reaction); one molecule of the aldehyde is reduced to the corresponding alcohol and another molecule is simultaneously oxidized to the salt of a carboxylic acid. The speed of the reaction depends on the substituents in the aromatic ring. Two different types of aldehydes (aromatic and aliphatic) can undergo crossing reaction to form fomaldehyde and aromatic alcohols.