Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Dry distillation or heating of calcium salts of carboxylic acids yields ketones. This is a general method for ketone synthesis.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Calcium benzoate is the calcium salt of benzoic acid \((C_6H_5COO)_2Ca\). Upon dry distillation, it undergoes decomposition to form a ketone.
\[ (C_6H_5COO)_2Ca \xrightarrow{\Delta} (C_6H_5)_2CO + CaCO_3 \]
The product is diphenylmethanone, commonly known as benzophenone.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Thus, the correct option is (D) benzophenone.