Benzyne mechanism in aryl halide substitution Steps:

• Compound J (C6H4BrCl) is an ortho-bromochlorobenzene treated with excess hot alcoholic NaOH, a strong base.
• Base abstracts ortho-hydrogen to Br, eliminating HBr to form 3-chlorobenzyne intermediate.
• OH⁻ nucleophile adds to the benzyne triple bond, preferring the position yielding the more stable anion.
• Protonation gives the phenolic product with Cl retained, as Br is the better leaving group.

Why A is correct:

• A shows the skeletal formula of 3-chlorophenol, the major product from regioselective OH⁻ addition to chlorobenzyne per the mechanism.

Why the others are wrong:

• B shows 4-chlorophenol (para substitution, impossible without different isomer).
• C shows 2-chlorophenol (minor product, not major).
• D shows bromochlorobenzene (unchanged starting material).

Final answer: A