Identify the product B in the following conversion.
\[
\text{Chlorobenzene} + \mathrm{H_2O} \xrightarrow[\text{Pressure}]{\mathrm{Cu},\,673\,K} A
\xrightarrow[\;373\,K\;]{\text{conc. } \mathrm{H_2SO_4}} B
\]
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Phenol directs electrophilic substitution mainly to ortho and para positions.
Step 1: First conversion.
Chlorobenzene reacts with water in presence of copper catalyst at high temperature and pressure to form phenol.
Step 2: Second conversion.
Phenol undergoes sulphonation with concentrated sulphuric acid at 373 K.
Step 3: Orientation of substitution.
The –OH group is an activating ortho–para directing group, and at higher temperature, para substitution predominates.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Thus, the product formed is 4–hydroxybenzene sulphonic acid.