Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The sequence involves the complete hydrolysis of a nitrile to a carboxylic acid, followed by the Hell-Volhard-Zelinsky (HVZ) reaction. Step 2: Detailed Explanation: Steps (i) and (ii): Nitriles ($R-CN$) undergo complete hydrolysis in the presence of acid or base and heat to form carboxylic acids.
$CH_3CH_2CN \xrightarrow{H_2O/OH^-/\Delta, H^+} CH_3CH_2COOH$ (Propanoic acid). Steps (iii) and (iv): Carboxylic acids with $\alpha$-hydrogens react with $Cl_2/Red P$ followed by hydrolysis to substitute the $\alpha$-hydrogen with a chlorine atom. This is the HVZ reaction.
$CH_3CH_2COOH \xrightarrow{Cl_2/Red P, H_2O} CH_3CH(Cl)COOH$ (2-Chloropropanoic acid). Step 3: Final Answer:
The major product P is 2-chloropropanoic acid.