Benzoic acid `underset(NaOH+CaO)overset(Delta)rarr` Product will be

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Answer

To determine the product formed when benzoic acid is heated with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and calcium oxide (CaO), we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reactants**: The reactants in this reaction are benzoic acid (C6H5COOH), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and calcium oxide (CaO).

2. **Understand the Role of Sodium Hydroxide**: Sodium hydroxide is a strong base. When benzoic acid reacts with NaOH, it will deprotonate the carboxylic acid group (-COOH) of benzoic acid. This results in the formation of the benzoate ion (C6H5COO⁻) and water (H2O).

\[ \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{COOH} + \text{NaOH} \rightarrow \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{COO}^- + \text{Na}^+ + \text{H}_2\text{O} \]

3. **Heating the Reaction Mixture**: Upon heating the benzoate ion, the negative charge on the oxygen can undergo resonance. This resonance can lead to the breaking of the bond between the carbon of the carboxylate group and the benzene ring.

4. **Decarboxylation**: The resonance stabilization allows for the loss of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. The reaction can be summarized as follows:

\[ \text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{COO}^- \xrightarrow{\Delta} \text{C}_6\text{H}_6 + \text{CO}_2 \]

Here, the benzoate ion loses CO2 and forms benzene (C6H6).

5. **Final Product**: The final product of the reaction is benzene.

### Conclusion:
Thus, when benzoic acid is heated with sodium hydroxide and calcium oxide, the product formed is **benzene (C6H6)** along with the release of carbon dioxide gas.

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