Identify the major product formed in the following reaction:

Step-by-step solution

The given reactant is dichlorodiphenylmethane, which is a geminal dihalide. When treated with aqueous NaOH , it undergoes nucleophilic substitution where both chlorine atoms are replaced by hydroxyl ( -OH ) groups to form a gem-diol intermediate. Ph ₂ CCl ₂ + 2 OH ^- Ph ₂ C(OH) ₂ + 2 Cl ^- Compounds containing two hydroxyl groups on the same carbon atom (gem-diols) are generally unstable. They readily undergo dehydration (loss of a water molecule) to form a stable carbonyl compound. Ph ₂ C(OH) ₂ Ph ₂ C=O + H ₂ O Th