Question

The strongest acid amongst the following compounds is

• A. $C{H}_{3}COOH$
• B. $HCOOH$
• C. $C{H}_{3}C{H}_{2}CH\left(Cl\right)C{O}_{2}H$
• D. $ClC{H}_{2}C{H}_{2}C{H}_{2}COOH$

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

$-I$ effect exerting (electron withdrawing) groups increases the acidic strength of an acid by withdrawing electron density towards itself, they weaken $O—H$ bond and thus, the release of $H^{+}$ ion by an acid becomes easier. Whereas $+I$ effect exerting ($e^{-}$ releasing) groups decreases the acidic strength by donating electron density to O-atom. Further, -I effect decreases with distance. Thus, the acidic strength of the given acids would be

strongest acid than other given compounds