NEETChemistryAldehydes and Ketones
What is the purpose of side chain chlorination followed by hydrolysis in the context of benzaldehyde production?
Options
- ATo synthesise benzyl chloride directly
- BTo reduce toluene to benzaldehyde
- CTo purify toluene
- DTo prepare benzyl chloride
Correct answer
B. To reduce toluene to benzaldehyde
Step-by-step solution
Side chain chlorination followed by hydrolysis is a method used to synthesise benzaldehyde from toluene. The chlorination step produces benzyl chloride, which is then hydrolyzed to yield benzaldehyde.