The product (Y) in the benzoylation of aniline is

The correct answer is Option (3) → \(C_6H_5NHCOC_6H_5\)

Primary and secondary amines react with acid chlorides by nucleophilic substitution: the lone pair of nitrogen attacks the carbonyl carbon, the chloride ion leaves, and the hydrogen of N–H is lost as HCl. The H of –\( \ce{NH2} \) is replaced by an acyl group and an amide is formed. With benzoyl chloride, \( \ce{C6H5COCl} \), the reaction is called benzoylation. A base such as pyridine removes the HCl and drives the reaction forward.

    \( \displaystyle \ce{C6H5NH2 + C6H5COCl} \xrightarrow{\text{pyridine}} \ce{C6H5NHCOC6H5 + HCl} \)

So Y is benzanilide (N-phenylbenzamide), \( \ce{C6H5NHCOC6H5} \).

Why the other options are incorrect

• Option (1) \(C_6H_5NHC_6H_5\) — Incorrect. Diphenylamine has a phenyl group, not a benzoyl group, on nitrogen; the C=O of benzoyl chloride is kept in the product.

• Option (2) \(2C_6H_5NH_2\) — Incorrect. This is just two molecules of the starting amine; no new compound is formed.

• Option (4) \(C_6H_5NH_2COC_6H_5\) — Incorrect. Here nitrogen would carry four bonds without a positive charge; one hydrogen is lost from nitrogen as HCl, which leaves –NH–.

NCERT (2026-27 edition):
Acylation – “Aliphatic and aromatic primary and secondary amines react with acid chlorides, anhydrides and esters by nucleophilic substitution reaction. This reaction is known as acylation. You can consider this reaction as the replacement of hydrogen atom of –NH₂ or >N–H group by the acyl group. The products obtained by acylation reaction are known as amides. … Amines also react with benzoyl chloride (C₆H₅COCl). This reaction is known as benzoylation.”