Benzoic acid with `"SOCl"_(2)` to give

Options

A. Chlorobenzene
B. Dichlorobenzene
C. Benzoyl chloride
D. Benzyl chloride

Explanation

To determine the product of the reaction between benzoic acid and thionyl chloride (SOCl₂), we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reactants**:
- The reactant is benzoic acid (C₆H₅COOH), which has a carboxylic acid functional group (-COOH).
- The other reactant is thionyl chloride (SOCl₂).

2. **Understand the Reaction Mechanism**:
- Thionyl chloride is used to convert carboxylic acids into acyl chlorides.
- The reaction involves the substitution of the hydroxyl (-OH) group in the carboxylic acid with a chlorine (Cl) atom.

3. **Formation of the Intermediate**:
- Upon reaction, the lone pair of electrons on the oxygen atom of the carboxylic acid attacks the sulfur atom in SOCl₂.
- This leads to the formation of an intermediate where the -OH group is replaced by a positively charged intermediate (an oxonium ion).

4. **Elimination of Byproducts**:
- The intermediate then loses a molecule of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) and a molecule of hydrogen chloride (HCl) as byproducts.
- This occurs as the chlorine from SOCl₂ replaces the -OH group.

5. **Final Product**:
- The final product of the reaction is benzoyl chloride (C₆H₅COCl).
- The structure of benzoyl chloride consists of a benzene ring (C₆H₅) attached to a carbonyl group (C=O) and a chlorine atom (Cl).

### Conclusion:
The product formed when benzoic acid reacts with thionyl chloride (SOCl₂) is **benzoyl chloride (C₆H₅COCl)**.