NEET Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution

Step-by-step solution

The given reaction is the Etard reaction. Toluene reacts with chromyl chloride ( CrO _2 Cl _2) in a non-polar solvent like CS _2 to form a chromium complex, which upon acid hydrolysis ( H _3 O ^+) yields benzaldehyde. Therefore, compound P is benzaldehyde ( C _6 H _5 CHO ). Let us evaluate the given options: Option (1): The hydrogenation of benzoyl chloride ( C _6 H _5 COCl ) with H _2 in the presence of Pd supported on BaSO _4 is known as the Rosenmund reduction. This reaction yields benzaldehyde. Thus, this statement is correct. Option (2): Benzaldehyde does not react with saturated NaHCO _3 solution to give brisk effervescence. This test is characteristic of carboxylic acids. Option (3): Treating benzene with anhydrous AlCl _3 and acetyl chloride ( CH _3 COCl ) is a Friedel-Crafts acylation reaction, which produces acetophenone ( C _6 H _5 COCH _3), not benzaldehyde. Option (4): Benzaldehyde does not give a white precipitate with bromine water. The bromine water test giving a white precipitate is characteristic of phenol and aniline. Answer: Compound P is obtained by the hydrogenation of benzoyl chloride with Pd on BaSO_4.