**Converting Formaldehyde to Benzyl Alcohol**

To convert formaldehyde to benzyl alcohol, a multi-step synthesis is required. The process involves the use of various reagents and conditions to facilitate the chemical reactions. Here is a detailed explanation of the steps involved in converting formaldehyde to benzyl alcohol:

**Step 1: Formation of Benzaldehyde**
1. Take formaldehyde (HCHO) as the starting material.
2. React formaldehyde with a strong oxidizing agent, such as chromic acid (H2CrO4) or potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) in the presence of sulfuric acid (H2SO4).
3. This oxidation reaction converts formaldehyde to benzaldehyde (C6H5CHO).
4. The reaction can be represented as follows: 4HCHO + K2Cr2O7 + 8H2SO4 → 4C6H5CHO + K2SO4 + Cr2(SO4)3 + 8H2O.

**Step 2: Reduction of Benzaldehyde to Benzyl Alcohol**
1. Take benzaldehyde as the starting material.
2. React benzaldehyde with a reducing agent, such as sodium borohydride (NaBH4) or lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4) in the presence of a solvent, such as ethanol (C2H5OH) or tetrahydrofuran (THF).
3. This reduction reaction converts benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol (C6H5CH2OH).
4. The reaction can be represented as follows: C6H5CHO + NaBH4 → C6H5CH2OH + NaBO2.

**Summary**
- The conversion of formaldehyde to benzyl alcohol involves a two-step process: oxidation of formaldehyde to benzaldehyde and reduction of benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol.
- In the first step, formaldehyde is oxidized using a strong oxidizing agent in the presence of sulfuric acid to produce benzaldehyde.
- In the second step, benzaldehyde undergoes reduction using a reducing agent in the presence of a suitable solvent to yield benzyl alcohol.
- The overall reaction can be summarized as follows: HCHO → C6H5CHO → C6H5CH2OH.
- It is important to note that the reactions should be performed under appropriate conditions and with proper safety precautions.

Make formadehyde to react with C6H5MgBr (grignard reagent) to form C6H5CH2OMgBr​ which after hydrolysis forms benzyl alcohol.