Multiple choice

Among the following the strongest acids is

  1. ClCH2COOH

  2. Cl2CHCOOH

  3. CH<font color="#333333">3</font>COOH

  4. Cl3CCOOH
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The acidity of haloacetic acids increases with the number of electron-withdrawing halogen atoms. More chlorines stabilize the conjugate base better by dispersing the negative charge through inductive effect. Trichloroacetic acid (Cl3CCOOH) is strongest because it has three -I effect groups, followed by dichloro, then chloro, then unsubstituted acetic acid.

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