Identify the product [D] formed when Reactant [A] (M M 78 ~g / mol ) undergoes the series of reactions shown

Step-by-step solution

The reactant [A] has a molar mass of 78 g/mol, which corresponds to benzene ( C₆H₆ ). In the first step, benzene reacts with methyl chloride ( MeCl ) in the presence of a catalyst (Friedel-Crafts alkylation) to form toluene ( C₇H₈ ). In the second step, toluene reacts with 3 moles of Cl₂ at 385 K. This is a free-radical side-chain chlorination reaction, which replaces the three hydrogen atoms of the methyl group with chlorine atoms, yielding benzotrichloride ( C₆H₅CCl₃ ) as product [C]. In the final step, benzotric