Ethyl ester $\xrightarrow{CH_3MgBr} P$. What will be the product $P$?

$2Ph-CHO \xrightarrow{OH^-} Ph-CH_2OH + PhCOO^-$
Which is the slowest step in the above Cannizzaro reaction?

The reagent used to distinguish between acetaldehyde and benzaldehyde is

Explain the solubility of aldehyde and ketone compounds.

The product $(A)$ of the reaction is:

An organic compound $(A)$ with molecular formula $C_8H_8O$ forms an orange-red precipitate with $2,4-DNP$ reagent and gives a yellow precipitate on heating with iodine in the presence of sodium hydroxide. It neither reduces Tollens' or Fehlings' reagent,nor does it decolourise bromine water or Baeyer's reagent. On drastic oxidation with chromic acid,it gives a carboxylic acid $(B)$ having molecular formula $C_7H_6O_2$. Identify the compounds $(A)$ and $(B)$ and explain the reactions involved.