When benzyl alcohol ( max = 258 nm, = 520) is dissolved in H 2 SO

When benzyl alcohol (λ_max = 258 nm, ϵ = 520) is dissolved in H₂SO₄, a colored solution is obtained that has a different UV spectrum: λ_max = 442 nm, ϵ = 53,000. When this solution is added to cold NaOH, the original spectrum of benzyl alcohol is restored. Suggest a structural basis for these observations.