Question

Benzaldehyde reacts with $C{l}_2$ in presence of $FeC{l}_3$ to give major product as:

• A. o-Chlorobenzaldehyde
• B. p-Chlorobenzaldehyde
• C. m-Chlorobenzaldehyde
• D. (a) and (b) above.

Answer 1

The correct option is C m-Chlorobenzaldehyde

Benzaldehyde react with halogens in the presence of a lewis acid like anhydrous $FeC{l}_3,FeB{r}_{3}orAlC{l}_3$ to yield m-chlorobenzaldehyde.
$-CHO$ is the meta directing group because it is more electron withdrawing group. It pulls the electron density towards itself and acts as a deactivating group on benzaldehyde ring which gives generally meta substituted chlorine as a major product. Thus option (c) is correct.