MHT CET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution

Step-by-step solution

The given reaction is an esterification reaction where a phenol ( Ar-OH ) reacts with an acid chloride ( R-COCl ) in the presence of a base like pyridine. In this nucleophilic acyl substitution reaction, the oxygen atom of the phenol acts as a nucleophile and attacks the electrophilic carbonyl carbon of the acid chloride. Pyridine is used as a base to neutralize the HCl formed during the reaction, which prevents the backward reaction and drives the equilibrium in the forward direction. The reaction proceeds as follows: Ar-OH + R-CO-Cl Pyridine R-CO-O-Ar + HCl The product 'Z' formed is an aryl ester, which has the structure R-C(=O)-O-Ar . Answer: