When benzene is treated with acetic anhydride in the presence of anhydrous aluminium chloride at 80^ C , the major product formed is:

Step-by-step solution

The reaction of benzene with acetic anhydride in the presence of anhydrous aluminium chloride is an example of Friedel-Crafts acylation. The electrophile generated is the acetyl cation ( CH₃C^+O ). Benzene undergoes electrophilic aromatic substitution with the acetyl cation to form acetophenone. The chemical equation is: C₆H₆ + (CH₃CO)₂O AlCl₃ C₆H₅COCH₃ + CH₃COOH The major product formed is acetophenone. Answer: Acetophenone