Question

i.
Identify the strongest acid amongst the following:
(a) Chloroacetic acid
(b) Acetic acid.
(c) Trichloroacetic acid
(d) Dichloroacetic acid

Answer 1

Answer:

The increase in the acid strength of an acid depends on the number of electron with drawing groups. Greater the number of electron withdrawing groups, greater is the strength of acid.

Thus,

Trichloroacetic acid

Cl

3

C−COOH

>

Dichloroacetic acid

Cl

2

CH−COOH

>

chloroacetic acid

ClCH

2

−COOH

>

Acetic acid

CH

3

COOH