Identify the reagent R necessary to bring the following conversion.

Step-by-step solution

Benzoyl chloride is hydrolyzed by water to benzoic acid via nucleophilic acyl substitution. The reaction C₆ H₅ COCl + H₂ O C₆ H₅ COOH + HCl occurs directly, as acid chlorides readily undergo hydrolysis with H₂O . Chromium trioxide and potassium permanganate are oxidizing agents unsuitable for this transformation. While dilute sodium hydroxide yields the carboxylate salt initially, water provides the most direct route to the carboxylic acid.