Which is the strongest acid ? a)CHCl2COOH b)CH2ClCOOH c)CH3COOH d)CCl3...
Explanation:
The strength of an acid depends on the ability of the acid to donate a proton (H+) to a base. The more readily the acid can donate a proton, the stronger the acid is. The strength of an acid is also affected by the stability of the resulting conjugate base.
Comparison of the given acids:
a) CHCl2COOH (Dichloroacetic acid)
b) CH2ClCOOH (Chloroacetic acid)
c) CH3COOH (Acetic acid)
d) CCl3COOH (Trichloroacetic acid)
Electronegativity:
The electronegativity of the substituent atom determines the acidity of the carboxylic acid. The more electronegative the atom, the more acidic the carboxylic acid.
- Trichloroacetic acid (d) has the most electronegative atoms among the given carboxylic acids, which makes it the strongest acid.
- Chloroacetic acid (b) and Dichloroacetic acid (a) have less electronegative atoms than trichloroacetic acid, making them weaker acids.
- Acetic acid (c) has the least electronegative atom among the given carboxylic acids, which makes it the weakest acid.
Inductive effect:
The inductive effect is the effect of the substituent atom on the acidity of the carboxylic acid. The more electron-withdrawing the substituent, the more acidic the carboxylic acid.
- Trichloroacetic acid (d) has three electron-withdrawing chlorine atoms, making it the most acidic carboxylic acid among the given carboxylic acids.
- Dichloroacetic acid (a) has two electron-withdrawing chlorine atoms, making it more acidic than chloroacetic acid (b) and acetic acid (c).
- Chloroacetic acid (b) has one electron-withdrawing chlorine atom, making it more acidic than acetic acid (c).
Resonance effect:
The resonance effect is the effect of the substituent atom on the acidity of the carboxylic acid due to resonance stabilization of the conjugate base.
- Trichloroacetic acid (d) has a highly stabilized conjugate base due to resonance, making it the most acidic carboxylic acid among the given carboxylic acids.
- Dichloroacetic acid (a) has a less stabilized conjugate base than trichloroacetic acid, making it less acidic.
- Chloroacetic acid (b) and acetic acid (c) have no resonance stabilization, making them weaker acids.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, trichloroacetic acid (d) is the strongest acid among the given carboxylic acids due to its highly electronegative atoms, electron-withdrawing chlorine atoms, and highly stabilized conjugate base. Chloroacetic acid (b) and Dichloroacetic acid (a) are weaker acids than trichloroacetic acid due to their less electronegative atoms, fewer electron-withdrawing chlorine atoms, and less stabilized conjugate base. Acetic acid (c) is the weakest acid among the given car
Which is the strongest acid ? a)CHCl2COOH b)CH2ClCOOH c)CH3COOH d)CCl3...
D