Converting benzaldehyde to benzophenone in no more than two steps

This is a question from my book, as stated in the title:



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> How will you convert benzaldehyde to benzophenone in no more than two steps?
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I can do it in three steps - first using $\ce{PhMgBr}$ on benzaldehyde to get $\ce{Ph\_2CH(OMgBr)}$ (sorry for this symbolic mess, I don't know how to format organic synthesis) followed by hydrolysis to $\ce{Ph\_2CHOH}$ which is oxidised to $\ce{Ph\_2CO}$.


I tried thinking of other ways, but really couldn't find anything. Hints would be appreciated. Thanks!




I could give you a satisfactory answer, but I don't say that this is the best method.


1. Conversion of benzaldehyde to benzoyl chloride:  
You can achieve this by adding $\ce{Cl2}$ or $\ce{SO2Cl2}$ (or other suitable chlorinating agents) to benzaldehyde. For more details refer [this.](https://chemistry.stackexchange.com/a/42485/115228)
2. By Friedel-Crafts acylation:  
 Reaction between benzene and the above obtained benzoyl chloride in presence of Lewis acids like $\ce{AlCl3}$ gives you benzophenone.


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