NEET2026ChemistryChapterActual
Identify the intermediate compound 'P' in the given chemical reaction sequence:
Options
- AC ₆ H ₅ CH ₂ Cl
- BC ₆ H ₅ CHCl ₂
- CC ₆ H ₅ CCl ₃
- Do -Cl-C ₆ H ₄ CH ₃
Correct answer
B. C ₆ H ₅ CHCl ₂
Step-by-step solution
The reaction of toluene with Cl ₂ in the presence of sunlight ( h ) proceeds via a free radical substitution mechanism at the side chain (benzylic position). Since the final product upon hydrolysis is benzaldehyde ( C ₆ H ₅ CHO ), the intermediate compound P must be a geminal dihalide. Hydrolysis of a gem-dihalide yields an unstable gem-diol, which readily loses a water molecule to form an aldehyde. Therefore, toluene reacts with two equivalents of Cl ₂ to form benzal chloride ( C ₆ H ₅ CHCl ₂ ) as the intermediate