Step 1: Identify the starting material. The starting material is phenol \( C_6H_5OH \). Step 2: Convert phenol to sodium phenoxide. Phenol reacts with NaOH to form sodium phenoxide: \[ C_6H_5OH + NaOH \rightarrow C_6H_5ONa + H_2O \] Phenoxide is more reactive towards electrophilic aromatic substitution than phenol. Step 3: Kolbe-Schmitt reaction with CO2. Sodium phenoxide is heated with \( CO_2 \) at about 125 degrees C under 4-7 atm pressure: \[ C_6H_5ONa + CO_2 \xrightarrow{\Delta, P} \text{sodium salicylate} \] Step 4: Explain regioselectivity. In the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction, \( CO_2 \) (a weak electrophile) attacks the ortho position of the activated phenoxide ring. The sodium ion coordinates with oxygen and directs the electrophile to ortho. Step 5: Acidification gives the final product. Sodium salicylate on acidification gives salicylic acid (2-hydroxybenzoic acid): \[ \text{sodium salicylate} + HCl \rightarrow \text{salicylic acid} + NaCl \] Step 6: State the major product. The major product is salicylic acid (option 2). \[ \boxed{\text{Salicylic acid}} \]
