When an equimolar mixture of benzoic acid and ethanoic acid is passed over heated MnO at 300^ C , it yields a major cross-product P . Compound P is then treated with a mixture of I ₂ and NaOH . The final products obtained are:

Step-by-step solution

When an equimolar mixture of benzoic acid ( C ₆ H ₅ COOH ) and ethanoic acid ( CH ₃ COOH ) is passed over heated MnO at 300^ C , decarboxylative ketonization occurs to form the cross-product acetophenone as the major product P . C ₆ H ₅ COOH + CH ₃ COOH MnO , 300^ C C ₆ H ₅ COCH ₃ + CO ₂ + H ₂ O Acetophenone ( C ₆ H ₅ COCH ₃ ) contains a methyl ketone group ( - COCH ₃ ), so it undergoes the haloform reaction when treated with I ₂ and NaOH . C ₆ H ₅ COCH ₃ + 3 I ₂ + 4 NaOH C ₆ H ₅ COONa + CHI ₃ + 3 NaI + 3 H ₂ O The