See image — Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Step 1: Identify compound A. PhCO2H (benzoic acid) reacts with PCl5 to form benzoyl chloride (PhCOCl). This acid chloride then reacts with NH3 to give benzamide (PhCONH2). So A = benzamide. Step 2: Identify compound B. Benzamide (PhCONH2) is treated first with P4O10 (phosphorus pentoxide) with heat, which is a powerful dehydrating agent that converts an amide (RCONH2) to a nitrile (RC≡N) by removing water. This gives benzonitrile (PhC≡N). Next, benzonitrile is hydrogenated with H2/Ni (catalytic hydrogenation), which reduces the nitrile group (C≡N) to a primary amine (CH2NH2). This gives benzylamine (PhCH2NH2). Step 3: Why other options fail. (a) Benzonitrile: This is the intermediate after P4O10/heat, not the final product B. (c) Aniline: Would require reduction of a nitro group on the ring; not applicable here. (d) Benzamide: This is compound A, not B. Benzylamine (PhCH2NH2) is the correct final product B. Therefore, the correct answer is B.