\[ \mathrm{P} \stackrel{\mathrm{H}_{2} / \mathrm{Pd}-\mathrm{BaSO}_{4}}{\rightarrow} \mathrm{Q} \stackrel{\text { (i) conc. } \mathrm{NaOH}}{\rightarrow} \mathrm{R}+\mathrm{S} \]
\( R \) and \( S \) form benzyl benzoate when treated with each other. Hence, \( P \) is

• Correct answer
  A

  \( \mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{COCl} \)
• B

  \( \mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{COOH} \)
• C

  \( C_{6} H_{5} \mathrm{CHO} \)
• D

  \( \mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{OH} \)

Solution

(A)

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'A'.