Phenol on treatment with `CO_(2)` in the presence of `NaOH` followed by acidification produces compound X as the major product. X on treatment with `(CH_(3)CO)_(2)O` in the presence of catalytic amount of `H_(2)SO_(4)` produces

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Answer

To solve the problem step by step, we will analyze the reactions involved when phenol is treated with CO₂ in the presence of NaOH, followed by acidification, and then the reaction of the resulting compound with acetic anhydride in the presence of H₂SO₄.

### Step 1: Reaction of Phenol with CO₂ and NaOH
1. **Phenol (C₆H₅OH)** reacts with **NaOH** to form the phenoxide ion (C₆H₅O⁻).
2. The phenoxide ion then reacts with **CO₂** in a reaction known as the Kolbe's reaction. The negative charge on the oxygen attacks the carbon of CO₂, leading to the formation of a carboxylate ion.
3. The intermediate formed is then protonated upon acidification to yield **salicylic acid (C₇H₆O₃)**, which has both a hydroxyl group (-OH) and a carboxylic acid group (-COOH) on the aromatic ring.

### Step 2: Structure of Compound X
- The major product **X** formed from the reaction of phenol with CO₂ and NaOH, followed by acidification, is **salicylic acid**.

### Step 3: Reaction of Salicylic Acid with Acetic Anhydride
1. **Salicylic acid (C₇H₆O₃)** is treated with **acetic anhydride (C₄H₆O₃)** in the presence of a catalytic amount of **H₂SO₄**.
2. The hydroxyl group (-OH) of salicylic acid attacks the carbonyl carbon of acetic anhydride, leading to the formation of an ester.
3. This reaction results in the formation of **acetylsalicylic acid (C₉H₈O₄)**, commonly known as **aspirin**, where the -OH group of salicylic acid is converted into an -OCOCH₃ (acetyl) group.

### Final Product
- The final product obtained from the reaction of salicylic acid with acetic anhydride is **acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)**.

### Summary of the Steps
1. Phenol reacts with NaOH and CO₂ to form salicylic acid (X).
2. Salicylic acid reacts with acetic anhydride to form acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).