How many of the following compounds are more acidic than acetic acid ()? — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Acetic acid possesses a destabilizing $+I$ methyl group. The compounds more acidic than it are $HCOOH$ (no $+I$ effect), $ClCH_2COOH, FCH_2COOH, NC-CH_2COOH, CCl_3COOH$ (all contain powerful $-I$ groups), and $C_6H_5COOH$ (benzoic acid has a stronger Ka than acetic acid). Only propanoic acid ($CH_3CH_2COOH$) is weaker due to a larger $+I$ group.