An aromatic compound (A) with molecular formula C_(7)H_(6)O has the smell of bitter almonds. (A) reacts with Cl_(2) in the absence of catalyst to give (B) and in the presence of catalyst compound (A) reacts with chlorine to give ( C). Identify (A), (B) and (C). Explain the reactions.

An aromatic compound (A) with molecular formula C_(7)H_(6)O has the sm

1.	An aromatic compound (A) with molecular formula C_(7)H_(6)O has the smell of bitter almonds. (A) reacts with Cl_(2) in the absence of catalyst to give (B) and in the presence of catalyst compound (A) reacts with chlorine to give ( C). Identify (A), (B) and (C). Explain the reactions.
Answer» Solution :(i) An aromatic compound (A) possess the smell of bitter almonds is benzaldehyde. From the molecular FORMULA (A) is identified as `C_(6)H_(5)CHO` benzaldehyde. (ii) Benzaldehyde on treatment with `Cl_(2)` in the absence of catalyst gives benzoyl chloride `C_(6)H_(5)COCl` and it is (B). (iii) Benzaldehyde on treatment with `Cl_(2)` in the PRESENCE of catalyst gives m-chlorobenzaldehyde and it is (C).