Treatment of benzene with $$\frac{CO}{HCl}$$ in the presence of anhydrous $$\frac{AlCl_{3}}{CuCl}$$ followed by reaction with $$\frac{Ac_{2}O}{NaOAc}$$ gives compound X as the major product. Compound X upon reaction with $$\frac{Br_{2}}{Na_{2}CO_{3}}$$, followed by heating at 473 K with moist KOH furnishes Y as the major product. Reaction of X with $$\frac{H_{2}}{Pd-C}$$, followed by $$H_{3}PO_{4}$$ treatment gives Z as the major product.