Benzene reacts with propene in the presence of H ₃ PO ₄ to form compound A. Oxidation of A by O ₂ followed by acidic hydrolysis yields an aromatic compound B and an aliphatic compound C. When compound C is treated with I ₂ and NaOH , what is the identity of C and the visible observation in this final step?

Step-by-step solution

The reaction of benzene with propene in the presence of an acid catalyst ( H ₃ PO ₄ ) is an alkylation reaction that yields cumene (isopropylbenzene) as compound A. Cumene (A) undergoes air oxidation to form cumene hydroperoxide, which on subsequent acidic hydrolysis yields phenol (aromatic compound B) and acetone (aliphatic compound C, CH ₃ COCH ₃ ). Acetone (C) contains a methyl ketone group ( -COCH ₃ ) and therefore gives a positive iodoform test. When treated with I ₂ and NaOH , it undergoes the haloform reacti