Question

Which of the following is the correct order of acidity of carboxylic acids?
$(i) Cl_{3}CCOOH >\, Cl_{2}CHCOOH >\, ClCH_{2}COOH$
$(ii) CH_{3}CH_{2}COOH >\, (CH_{3})_{2} CHCOOH >\, (CH_{3})_{3} CCOOH$
(iii) $F_{2}CHCOOH >\, FCH_{2}COOH > \,ClCH_{2}COOH$

• A. (i) and (ii)
• B. (ii) and (iii)
• C. (i) and (iii)
• D. (i), (ii) and (iii)

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

The strength of the acid increases with the inductive effect of the electronegative group attached to it ($-I$ effect). The strength of the acid decreases with the presence of electron releasing group.