Which of the following halogen-substituted acetic acids possesses the highest acidic strength strict — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question
Question
Which of the following halogen-substituted acetic acids possesses the highest acidic strength strictly due to the magnitude of the negative inductive ($-I$) effect?
Answer: A
💡 Solution & Explanation
Acidic strength depends on the stability of the conjugate base. Halogens exert a $-I$ effect, which disperses the negative charge on the carboxylate ion, stabilizing it. Fluorine has the highest electronegativity, exerting the strongest $-I$ effect, making fluoroacetic acid the strongest acid.
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