In the equation `CH_(3)COOH+Cl_(2)overset("RedP")underset(-HCl)rarrA`, the compound A is :

Options

A. `CH_(3)CH_(2)Cl`
B. `ClCH_(2)COOH`
C. `CH_(3)Cl`
D. `CH_(3)COCl`

Answer

To solve the question, we need to analyze the reaction between acetic acid (CH₃COOH) and chlorine (Cl₂) in the presence of red phosphorus and hydrochloric acid (HCl). The goal is to determine the compound A that is produced from this reaction.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reactants**:
The reactants in the equation are acetic acid (CH₃COOH) and chlorine (Cl₂).

2. **Understand the Role of Red Phosphorus and HCl**:
Red phosphorus and HCl facilitate the reaction by generating chlorine gas from Cl₂. This chlorine gas will then participate in the substitution reaction.

3. **Identify the Structure of Acetic Acid**:
Acetic acid has the following structure:
\[ \text{CH}_3 - \text{C(=O)OH} \]
The carbon atom adjacent to the carboxylic group (C(=O)OH) is known as the alpha carbon, and it has three alpha hydrogens.

4. **Recognize the Halogenation Reaction**:
When a carboxylic acid with alpha hydrogens reacts with chlorine in the presence of red phosphorus and HCl, the alpha hydrogen can be substituted by a chlorine atom. This is a characteristic reaction known as the H-V-Z reaction (Hunsdiecker-Van Zanden reaction).

5. **Perform the Substitution**:
In this case, one of the alpha hydrogens in acetic acid will be replaced by a chlorine atom. The reaction can be represented as follows:
\[ \text{CH}_3 - \text{C(=O)OH} + \text{Cl}_2 \rightarrow \text{CH}_3 - \text{C(=O)Cl} + \text{HCl} \]
The product formed is **alpha-chloroacetic acid** (CH₂ClCOOH).

6. **Write the Final Product**:
The compound A produced from the reaction is:
\[ \text{Compound A: CH}_2\text{ClCOOH (alpha-chloroacetic acid)} \]

### Final Answer:
The compound A is **alpha-chloroacetic acid (CH₂ClCOOH)**.

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