Complete the reaction : `CH_(3)COOHoverset(Cl_(2)//P)rarr?`

Explanation

To complete the reaction of acetic acid (CH₃COOH) in the presence of chlorine (Cl₂) and phosphorus (P), we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reaction Type**:
The reaction of acetic acid with chlorine in the presence of phosphorus is known as the Hell-Volhard-Zelinsky reaction. This reaction involves the halogenation of the alpha carbon of carboxylic acids.

2. **Write the Structure of Acetic Acid**:
The structure of acetic acid is CH₃COOH. In this structure, the alpha carbon is the carbon adjacent to the carboxylic acid group (COOH).

3. **Reaction with Chlorine**:
When acetic acid is treated with Cl₂ in the presence of red phosphorus, the chlorine will substitute the hydrogen atom on the alpha carbon (the carbon next to the carboxyl group).

4. **Formation of Chloroacetic Acid**:
The substitution results in the formation of chloroacetic acid (ClCH₂COOH). The reaction can be represented as follows:
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{COOH} + \text{Cl}_2 \xrightarrow{\text{P}} \text{ClCH}_2\text{COOH} + \text{HCl} \]
Here, HCl is eliminated as a byproduct.

5. **Final Product**:
The final product of this reaction is chloroacetic acid (ClCH₂COOH).

### Complete Reaction:
\[ \text{CH}_3\text{COOH} + \text{Cl}_2 \xrightarrow{\text{P}} \text{ClCH}_2\text{COOH} + \text{HCl} \]