What is the product formed when benzene react with CO and HCl in presence of anhydrous AlCl ₃ ?

Step-by-step solution

The reaction of benzene with carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen chloride (HCl) in the presence of anhydrous aluminum chloride ( AlCl₃ ) and cuprous chloride ( CuCl ) is known as the Gattermann-Koch reaction. This reaction is a form of Friedel-Crafts acylation that introduces a formyl group ( -CHO ) onto the benzene ring to produce benzaldehyde. The reaction mechanism involves the formation of the formyl cation ( HCO^+ ) in situ, which acts as the electrophile and attacks the benzene ring to form benzaldehyde. Answer