For each of the following pairs, explain which is the stonger acid and the reason for your choice.
a. trifluorocetic acid and acetic acid
b. propenoic acid and propanoic acid
(In gereral an electron withdrawing group connected to a carboxylic acid can increase acidity due to neagative inductive effect. The inductive electron-withdrawing effect of the -ve IE groups takes place through covalent bonds, and its influence decreases markedly with increasing distance from tha acid)
a) trifluorocetic acid is stronger acid than acetic acid
because -ve (negative) inductive effect of 3 Flourine atoms
b) propenoic acid is stronger acid than propanoic acid
Because in propenoic acid C-SP2(double bond) hybridised carbon is attached to acid whereas in case of propanoic acid C-SP3 (Saturated) hybridised carbon is attached to acid.
C-SP2 hybridised carbon is more electronegative than C-SP3 hybridised carbon and it withdraws electrons from acid group and releses H+ easily when compared to C-SP3 hybridised carbon.
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