Two flasks, X and Y, contain identical aqueous mixtures of aniline, NaNO ₂ , and dilute HCl . Flask X is maintained strictly at 273-278 K , while Flask Y is maintained at 298 K . Identify the major organic products formed in Flask X and Flask Y, respectively.

Step-by-step solution

In Flask X, at 273-278 K , aniline reacts with nitrous acid (generated in situ from NaNO ₂ and dilute HCl ) to undergo stable diazotization, forming benzenediazonium chloride as the major product. In Flask Y, at 298 K (room temperature), the temperature is too high for the diazonium salt to remain stable. Benzenediazonium chloride reacts with water when warmed. Therefore, the diazonium salt formed immediately hydrolyses to yield phenol with the evolution of nitrogen gas. Thus, the major product in X is benzenediazo