Which of the following has an optical isomer ?

The major product obtained on interaction of phenol with sodium hydroxide and carbon dioxide is :

A liquid was mixed with ethanol and a drop of concentrated H₂SO₄ was added. A compound with a fruity smell was formed. The liquid was :

In Cannizzaro reaction given below
2PhCHO $$\buildrel {\mathop {:OH}\limits^{\left( - \right)} } \over \longrightarrow $$ PhCH₂OH + $$PhC\mathop O\limits^{..} $$₂^(-)
the slowest step is :