An aromatic compound C₇H₆Cl₂(A), gives AgCl on boiling with alcoholic AgNO₃ solution and yields C₇H₇OCl on treatment with sodium hydroxide. (A) on oxidation gives monochlorobenzoic acid. The compound (A) is 

Concept:

1. The compound A has the molecular formula C₇H₆Cl₂, which suggests it is an aromatic compound with two chlorine atoms attached to the benzene ring.

2. When A is boiled with alcoholic AgNO₃, it produces AgCl. This indicates that A contains a chlorine atom attached to a benzylic carbon (–CH₂Cl).

3. Treatment with NaOH gives C₇H₇OCl. This suggests that the benzylic chloride group (–CH₂Cl) is converted to a benzylic alcohol group (–CH₂OH).

4. On oxidation, A forms monochlorobenzoic acid. This indicates that the benzylic carbon (CH₂) is oxidized to a carboxylic acid group (–COOH).

Reaction Steps:

C₇H₆Cl₂ (A) → Alcoholic AgNO₃ → AgCl + Intermediate

C₇H₆Cl₂ (A) + NaOH → C₇H₇OCl

C₇H₆Cl₂ (A) + Oxidizing agent → Monochlorobenzoic acid

Identification:

The structure of A must contain one benzene ring, one benzylic chloride group (–CH₂Cl), and one additional chlorine atom directly attached to the benzene ring. The correct structure of A is benzyl chloride with a chlorine atom attached to the benzene ring.

The compound A is option a.