How does the physical distance of an electron-withdrawing substituent (like ) along the carbon chain — GOC and Organic Chemistry Basics Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

The inductive effect is a permanent polarization of $\sigma$ -bonds that decreases rapidly with distance. Therefore, moving the highly electronegative chlorine atom closer to the carboxyl group drastically increases its $-I$ pull, stabilizing the resulting carboxylate anion more effectively and increasing acidity.