2-[(4-Chlorobenzyl)carbonylmethyl]benzoic acid

The title compound, C16H13ClO3, is an important intermediate in the conversion of isocoumarin to 3,4-dihydroisocoumarin. The two aromatic rings are oriented at a dihedral angle of 67.18 (3)°. In the crystal structure, intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds link the molecules into centrosymmetric dimers. There is also a C—H...π contact between the benzoic acid and 4-chlorobenzyl rings.