Question

ClCH₂CH₂OH is stronger acid than CH₃CH₂OH because of:
(a) – I effect of Cl increases negative charge on O atom of
alcohol
(b) – I effect of Cl disperses negative charge on O atom to
produce more stable cation
(c) – I effect of Cl disperses negative charge on O atom to
produce more stable anion
(d) None of these

Answer 1

ClCH₂CH₂OH is stronger acid than CH₃CH₂OH because of – I effect of Cl disperses negative charge on O atom to produce more stable alkoxide ion

- due to the presence of chlorine, -I effect comes into play and the compound easily releases H+ and the anion ClCH₂CH₂O- becomes stable

- thus ClCH₂CH₂OH (2-chloro ethanol) is more acidic than CH₃CH₂OH (ethanol)

- so option (c) is correct