I performed the Cannizzaro reaction to synthesise benzoic acid and benzyl alcohol from benzaldehyde. As I'd expected/hoped, I got a positive test result for the sodium hydroxide, the sodium bicarbonate, and the pH test(s) for the presence of carboxylic acids. However, I got a really unusual FT-IR spectrum for benzoic acid. There was a broad but very weak absorption that corresponded to the O-H stretch for carboxylic acids, but according to literature, it's supposed to be quite a strong absorption. Also, the benzyl alcohol I synthesised tested positive for the presence of benzaldehyde even when it clearly wasn't supposed to. What could have caused these anomalies? I've combed through ACS, EBSCOHost, Taylor and Francis, and Elsevier. I've also consulted Vogel's Textbook of Practical Organic Chemistry and other textbooks like those written by McMurry, Solomon, Wade, and Klein, but I couldn't find anything useful. There seems to be a great dearth of authoritative and comprehensive sources on the Cannizarro reaction. If you could point me towards the right direction I would be infinitely grateful.