Major product Y in the following reaction is

The correct answer is Option (4) → 

 

A carboxylic acid reacts with alcohol in presence of acid catalyst to form an ester.

This is known as Fischer esterification.

Reaction:

$\text{Benzoic acid} + \text{Ethanol} \rightarrow \text{Ethyl benzoate} + \text{Water}$

Acid catalyst: conc. $\text{H}_2\text{SO}_4$ or $\text{HCl}$

So product formed is:

$\text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{COOC}_2\text{H}_5$ (Ethyl benzoate)

Option 1: $\text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{COC}_2\text{H}_5$

This is a ketone.

Not formed from acid + alcohol reaction.

Option 2: $\text{C}_6\text{H}_5\text{CH}_2\text{OH}$

This is benzyl alcohol.

Reduction product, not esterification product.

Option 3: $C_6H_5COCH_3$

This is acetophenone.

Formed via Friedel-Crafts acylation, not esterification.

Option 4: $C_6H_5COOC_2H_5$

This is ethyl benzoate. Formed via esterification.

Correct.