Benzyl chloride can be converted into benzaldehyde by treatment with nitro methane and base. The reaction involves

Question:

Benzyl chloride can be converted into benzaldehyde by treatment with nitro methane and base. The reaction involves initial conversion of nitro methane into its anion, followed by SN2 reaction of the anion with benzyl chloride and subsequent E2 reaction. Write the mechanism in detail, using curved arrows to indicate the electron flow in each step.