Benzene reacts with propene in the presence of H ₃ PO ₄ to give compound 'A'. 'A' undergoes oxidation with O ₂ followed by acidic hydrolysis to yield 'B' and acetone. 'B' is treated with aqueous NaOH and CO ₂ at 400 K and 4-7 atm pressure, followed by acidification to give 'C' as the major product. 'C' is then heated with acetic anhydride and a catalytic amount of conc. H ₂ SO ₄ to yield 'D'. Identify the final produ

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Benzene undergoes Friedel-Crafts alkylation with propene in the presence of an acid catalyst ( H ₃ PO ₄ ) to form isopropylbenzene, commonly known as cumene (Compound 'A'). Step 2: Cumene is oxidized by air ( O ₂ ) to cumene hydroperoxide, which upon subsequent acidic hydrolysis yields phenol (Compound 'B') and acetone as a byproduct. Step 3: Phenol ('B') reacts with sodium hydroxide to form sodium phenoxide, which then undergoes electrophilic aromatic substitution with CO ₂ under high pressure and temperat