Identify the interrmediate (Y) in the following reaction for the commercial method of manufacturing of benzaldehyde?

The correct answer is Option (2) → 

The intermediate $Y$ is benzal chloride ($C_6H_5-CHCl_2$).

Complete statement:

In the commercial manufacture of benzaldehyde from toluene, the intermediate formed is benzal chloride ($C_6H_5-CHCl_2$).

Reasoning:

1. The starting compound is toluene ($C_6H_5-CH_3$).

2. Treatment with $Cl_2 / hv$ (sunlight) causes free-radical side-chain chlorination, not ring chlorination.

3. The methyl group is successively chlorinated:

$C_6H_5-CH_3 → C_6H_5-CH_2Cl → C_6H_5-CHCl_2$ (benzal chloride)

4. On hydrolysis with hot water at 373 K, benzal chloride is converted into benzaldehyde ($C_6H_5-CHO$).

Therefore, the correct intermediate Y is:

$C_6H_5-CHCl_2$ (benzal chloride)