Arrange the following carboxylic acids in order of decreasing acidic strength: — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Acidity is inversely proportional to the $+I$ effect. Hydrogen (in $HCOOH$) has a $+I$ of zero. Methyl ($-CH_3$) exerts a destabilizing $+I$ effect, and Ethyl ($-CH_2CH_3$) exerts an even stronger destabilizing $+I$ effect on the carboxylate anion. Therefore, Formic acid is the strongest.