Starting from propanoic acid, the following reactions were carried out: \[ \text{SOCl}_2 \rightarrow X \quad \text{NH}_3 \rightarrow Y \quad \text{Br}_2 + \text{KOH} \rightarrow Z \] \(\text{What is the compound Z?}\)
Show Hint
The conversion of propanoic acid to salicylic acid involves multiple steps, including acylation and hydrolysis.
This sequence of reactions converts propanoic acid to salicylic acid by first converting it to an acyl chloride using thionyl chloride (SOCl2), then reacting with ammonia (NH3), followed by bromination and hydrolysis.
Final Answer:
\[
\boxed{\text{Salicylic acid}}
\]